Harold R. Piltingsrud

Harold R. Piltingsrud, of Wadena, MN and formerly of Park River, ND passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the Elder's Home in New York Mills, Minnesota after a period of illness resulting from a debilitating stroke. He was ninety-one years old. He was born in Leeds, ND on September 11, 1918, to Harry and Ruth (Gronvold) Piltingsrud. Harold was the sixth child and first son of seven children. He grew up in Leeds, and while in high school was an active swimmer, played in sports, and achieved excellent grades. He attended UND for four years followed by two years of pre-med at the University of Minnesota. He completed his MD degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, and served his residency in Wilmington, DE. Harold specialized in surgery and obstetrics to prepare him for family practice. Harold enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and was a captain in the medical corp. From January of 1944 to October of 1946 he served overseas in Austria and France. On June 24, 1943, he married Susan Selkregg of North East Pennsylvania. They were married for sixty years. Upon returning from the war, Harold worked at the Grafton State School for two years. He joined Frank E. Weed at the Weed Clinic in Park River in 1948 where he practiced medicine for 34 years, retiring in 1982. An active man, Harold served on the Park River City Council for eleven years. He belonged to the Park River Federated Church, the Masonic Lodge, American Legion and VFW. He enjoyed reading, listening to music, traveling, and camping with his wife. He was an avid golfer and UND sports fan. He valued the time he had with his family and friends and had a special relationship with his patients. He is survived by his children: Suzette (John) Bulkowski, Salem, OR; Ann (Scott) Dau, New York Mills, MN; Jack (Pat) Piltingsrud, Mesa, AZ; Jon Piltingsrud, Dallas, TX; 8 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and sister Alice Bullard, Santa Cruz, CA. he was preceded in death by his parents, wife on July 15, 2003, four sisters and one brother. Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the Park River Federated Church. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND. Military rites will be provided by the Paul Farup American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.