Jerald Lee Hatlestad

Jerry's Funeral Service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/4013380

Jerry Hatlestad of Harwood, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 11, 2024, after a long battle with cancer.

Jerry was born in Moorhead, Minnesota on February 23, 1946. He grew up on a farm near Wolverton, MN, and graduated from Breckenridge High School. He continued his education at the ND State School of Science, Fergus Falls Junior College, and Moorhead State University.

He met Pennie (Sneva) while going to school in Fergus Falls, and they married on March 21, 1971. Early on they lived in Moorhead, MN, but Harwood, ND has been their home for the last 40 years and where they raised their children Alana and DJ. While their kids were in school, they met Andi Broneske, and he quickly became part of the family. They purchased a cabin on South Turtle Lake in 1983, which became a big part of their lives and a gathering point for friends and family.

Jerry was in the Army National Guard and worked for Piggly Wiggly, Ottertail, and General Electric. The majority of his career he spent with Lakeland Engineering Equipment Co in electrical sales and was with Malloy Electric at the end of his career. It was in electrical sales where many of his customers became great lifelong friends.

Jerry enjoyed putzing in the garage, farming, hunting with family and friends, tending to flowers/plants, wintering in Arizona, and watching his kids and grandkids in their various activities with Pennie. He was an active volunteer with Cass County and ND 4-H program. Jerry was a club leader when his children were in 4-H and chaperoned many 4-H trips. He loved creating the seating area in the horticulture display at the 4-H fair building and working with Pennie at the fair.

Jerry had a big, bright, and loving personality with boundless energy, a want to help others, tools to share, and a big smile on his face. He wanted to get to know those around him and had many close family and friends. He knew where all the ice cream places were in his sales territory and never missed an opportunity for a cone or sundae.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Gladys; in-laws, Forrie and Pat Sneva (he was Pat’s favorite son-in-law); brother, Donald; sisters-in-law, Sharon Hatlestad and Rosemary Hatlestad. He is loved and will be missed by his wife, Pennie Hatlestad; daughter, Alana, and husband, Todd Sears, with grandsons, Aidan and Forrest; son, DJ and wife, Missy Hatlestad, with grandchildren, Edyth, Elizabeth, and Eli. He will be missed by his brothers, Kenneth Hatlestad and Leonard Hatlestad; sister, Bonnie Hatlestad and her significant other, Mick Toumi; and many aunts/uncles, cousins, nieces/nephews, and great nieces/nephews.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at Messiah Lutheran in Fargo, ND. Visitation is Sunday, January 14, from 5-6:30 pm, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm. The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 15, at 11 am, with lunch and ice cream to follow. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Memorials are preferred to the North Dakota 4-H Foundation or the charity of your choice.