Harold F. Kjos was born April 16, 1929, the son of Selmer and Erna (Wendt) Kjos in Mahnomen County, MN. He was raised near Mahnomen and graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1947. After his graduation, Harold attended North Dakota State University for a short time before returning home to pursue his true passion…farming. He worked on the family farm, purchasing it as his own in 1949. On April 26, 1952, Harold was united in marriage to Avis Wermager at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. The couple made their home on the farm where they raised three sons together. Harold stayed very busy on the farm but was also an active dad supporting his son's school and sporting activities. He started to slow down in the 1970's by selling his dairy herd, after which he bought a set of golf clubs to celebrate. Harold semi-retired in 1991 when he rented out his farmland. Although retired, he worked as blackjack dealer for Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen from 1991 until 1993 then began working for Bursch Farms until 1997. At that time, Harold began driving for Mahnomen County Human Services and the Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office. In September of 2004, Harold and Avis sold the farm and moved into Mahnomen to make their home.


Lovingly surrounded by family, Harold died at the Twin Valley Living Center, in Twin Valley, MN, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley on Friday, July 17, 2009.


Harold truly loved the outdoors and farming. His very favorite pastime was deer hunting with his sons and grandson each year. He also liked to golf, fish and play cards. Harold often shared a game of whist with family and was a champion Bridge player. He especially enjoyed catching up on the daily news at the Red Apple for coffee each morning. Harold was a long time member of First Lutheran Church where he remained very active. Harold was also an active member of the Mahnomen's Lions Club serving as President, Deputy District Governor and Zone Chairman.


Harold is survived by his wife, Avis; three sons: Gregory (Margaret) of Minnetonka, MN, Garry (Gail) of Woodbury, MN, and Jim (Karla Gudmundson) of Moorhead, MN; two sisters, Sylvia (Bob) Anderson of Mahnomen, and Lois Nelson of Oshkosh, WI, six grandchildren: Maureen, Andy, Ashley, Mari, Sam and Brighton; and four great grandchildren: Tristen, Olivia, Peyton, and Claire; as well as many nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents.


Visitation will take place on Sunday, July 19, 2009 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:00, at the Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on Monday, July 20, 2009, at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Pastor John Lee will officiate with Diane Kochmann as organist and Dave Kochmann playing saxophone. Vern Gent, Manley Hillstad, Wayne Wermager, Bob Wermager, Larry Wendt, and Ron Pishtek will be the pallbearers with all of Harold's grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the Red Apple morning coffee group as honorary bearers. Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley of Detroit Lakes.


Interment will take place at Riverside Memorial Park in Mahnomen.