Harvey Hillesland

Tuesday, February 9, 2016 4:15 pm

Harvey Hillesland, 84, of Decorah, formerly of Calmar, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian. Services were at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 8, at Calmar Lutheran Church, Calmar, with Pastor Phillip Olson officiating. Organist was Martha Ludeking. Hymns were “Abide With Me,” “Behold the Host,” “Borning Cry” and  “Lift High the Cross.” Interment was at Calmar Lutheran Cemetery, Calmar. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel, Calmar. Casket bearers were Roger Fjelstul, Phil French, Earl Knutson, Jim Buchheit, Mike Wilder and John Mashek.

Harvey Frederick Hillesland was born July 26, 1931, the son of Ted and Lottie (Falnes) Hillesland near Conover. He was baptized and confirmed at the Calmar Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at Conover School and graduated from Calmar High School in 1949. Harvey farmed for 20 years on the Flaskerud family farm and moved to Calmar and purchased Calmar Oil, operating it until 1993, when he retired. Harvey was united in marriage to Goldie Mae Wangsness June 3, 1951, at the Calmar Lutheran Church. To this marriage, three children were born: James, Barbara and Michael. Harvey was volunteer fireman for the Calmar Fire Department, a member of the South Winn Golf Course and the Calmar Lutheran Church, where he served on the Church Council. Harvey’s hobby was woodworking and he was always giving his family and friends unique items that he would make.  

Harvey is survived by his loving wife of 64 years: Goldie Hillesland, Decorah; two children, Jim (Sue) Hillesland, Chicago, Ill. and Barbara (Greg) Drew, Manchester; grandchildren: Kaia (friend, Jerad Winger) Humpal, Decorah; Blake (Megan) Humpal, Charlotte, N.C.; Kirby (Ryan) Jipp, Brookfield, Wis.; and John (Rachel) Hillesland, Chicago, Ill.; great-grandchildren: Jordan and Kaylie Rommes, Jack Hillesland and Xavier Jipp; two brothers, Glenn (Arnhild) Hillesland, Amesand Alton and Harriet Hillesland, Sydney, Mont.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Sanders, Decorah; sisters- and brothers-in-law: Colleen and Joe Fjelstad, Sun City West, Ariz.; Darryl and Carol Wangsness, Anoka, Minn.; and Chuck and Lorrie Wangsness, Sun Lakes, Ariz.

Harvey was preceded in death by his son, Michael “Mike” Hillesland, March 30, 2007; his parents, Ted and Lottie (Falnes) Hillesland; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifford and Mabel Wangsness; brother, Dalos Hillesland; son-in-law, Kenny Humpal, in 1992.