Harvey Leon Loftsgard

Harvey Leon Loftsgard, aged 95, died peacefully on March 21, 2019 at Grace Point Crossing in Cambridge, MN. He was born August 7, 1923 in rural Dundee township, Walsh County, North Dakota.

Harvey graduated from Park River High School in 1941 where he met the love of his life, Grace Laurine (Lien) Loftsgard. On May 9 ^th , 1945, Harvey and Grace were married and started their journey in life together. The war took them immediately to Seattle, Washington where Harvey was stationed in the Navy. A few months later, the war ended and the couple returned to their roots in Park River, ND to begin their civilian life on the family farm. Shortly thereafter he went to work for a local implement dealer and eventually bought Loftsgard Hardware in downtown Park River. He quickly established the ‘Harvey’ reputation of being able to fix or sell any appliance and always had creative ideas on solving a project need. When Harvey retired, he sold the store to Lon who still owns and operates the business today.

Harvey loved to freely share his interest in flying and was always ready to take a willing passenger up in his Cessna to circle over Park River, the Homme Dam and back on the ground again to chat in his hangar.

Harvey believed in making a difference in the community he grew up and lived in and served in many capacities. He did not tout this to anyone but humbly served because of his love for others and desire to serve where there was a need that had purpose. Harvey and Grace helped plant Victory Free Lutheran Church in Park River, ND and Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. They leave behind a legacy for others in their daily walk of faithfulness in serving their Lord Jesus Christ, finding satisfaction in hard work and always demonstrating their compassion for others.

During their retirement years, Harvey and Grace enjoyed their time in Arizona in the winters and Wisconsin in the summer. In 2010 they moved to Cambridge, MN to be close to their children.

Harvey was preceded in death by his wife Grace Laurine (Lien) Loftsgard, father and mother Theodore and Theodora Loftsgard, brother Eugene (Pearl) Loftsgard, brother Laurel (Carol) Loftsgard, sister Ruth Larson, brother-in-law Leonard (Isabelle) Lien, sister-in-law Hazel (Charles) Jacobson, brother-in-law Floyd (Orena) Lien, brother-in-law Wallace (Hazel) Lien, and sister-in-law Esther (Floyd) Rush. Harvey is survived by his brother-in-law Gene Larson and sister Eleanor Alexander.

He leaves behind his three children: son Gary (Debbie) Loftsgard of Pahrump, Nevada, son Brion (Cindy) Loftsgard of Plymouth, MN, daughter Debora (Clyde) Bloyer of Cambridge, MN. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Jessica Ryan (Joshua Kelch), Jason (Annie) Bloyer, Nathan (Brianne) Loftsgard, Joshua (Keri) Bloyer, Jenna (David) Reeves, Cole Loftsgard, and Victoria Bloyer. Additionally, he leaves behind nine great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Harvey’s life will be held at Victory Free Lutheran Church in Park River, ND on April 1, at 11:00am. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND.   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Victory Free Lutheran Church, Park River, ND.