Harlan Haarstad
Harlan Haarstad, age 88 of Elbow Lake, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, January 22, 2026, at his home the farmstead where he lived his entire life, surrounded by the family he loved so deeply.
Visitation for Harlan Haarstad will be held Friday, January 30, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Elbow Lake, MN.
Memorial services for Harlan Haarstad will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Elbow Lake, MN.
Burial will be in Rock Prairie Lutheran Cemetery.
Harlan was born on July 15, 1937, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, to Elmer and Amanda (Holte) Haarstad. On February 2, 1963, he married the love of his life, Sandra Mecklenberg, in Nashua, Minnesota. Together they built a life full of hard work, laughter, and a whole lot of family memories.
A farmer at heart, Harlan spent most of his life raising crops and hogs and caring for the land that had been home for generations. Even in his later years, he never lost interest in what was happening in the farming community and always liked to know how crops were doing and what the neighbors were up to. Later, he also ran a successful painting business in Elbow Lake, Minnesota, where his strong work ethic and attention to detail were well known.
Harlan loved visiting with friends and relatives and was always up for a good conversation. He was a faithful regular at morning coffee at Cenex, where stories were shared, laughter was common, and everyone knew his name. He especially enjoyed playing cribbage and was always happy to sit down for a game.
Harlan also had a mischievous streak and was often known for wearing a slightly scorned look on his face, but everyone who knew him knew that look was mostly for show. It didn’t take long for it to turn into a smile, a quick grin, or a well-timed comment that let you know he was enjoying the moment.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the occasional trip to the casino as well as trips to the Black Hills with lifelong friends. But above all else, Harlan loved his kids and grandkids. Nothing lit up his face faster than seeing one of them walk through the door. And although Sandy didn’t really care for cats, Harlan made sure the farm cats were always fed, along with a few skunks who figured out there was free food on the front deck.
Harlan is survived by his sons: Shawn of Elbow Lake, MN, Allen (Mickey) of Moorhead, MN, and Chris (Desiree) of Elbow Lake, MN; his grandchildren: Ben (Tasha), Tyler, Austin (Cody), Heather, Jordan, Annabelle (Angelica), Jeremiah, and Xander; and great-grandchildren: Walker, Rainy, and Brooks Haarstad; his brothers-in-law: Curt Mecklenburg and Bob Mecklenberg.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Elmer and Amanda (Holte) Haarstad; his beloved wife: Sandy; and his son: Allan Bentley.
Arrangements are with Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake, MN.
