Harold Estenson of Devils Lake, ND, formerly of Sarles, passed away August 1st, 2026 at his home under the care of his family and HIA hospice.

Harold was born June 4th, 1936 to Herman and Marie (Oakland) Estenson in Glasgow, Montana while his dad was working on construction of the Fort Peck Dam. He was the 3rd of 7 children.

He was raised on the family farm near Sarles and graduated from Sarles High School in 1954.

He married his high school sweetheart, Janet Hendrickson , on June 21st, 1958 at the Sarles Lutheran Church and they had recently celebrated 68 years of marriage and working side by side on their farm.

Together they raised 3 children Don, Nancy and Mark.

Harold loved sharing family time together farming, camping, hunting, fishing, attending or watching sporting events and traveling. He went on to find the same joy in sharing those experiences and memories with his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. He also enjoyed playing cards, cribbage and games.

Harold lived a life of hard work which included farming, construction, custom combining, and fixing or repairing all things that needed fixing. He valued service to his country and community and was a proud member of the Sarles American Legion after serving in the ND National Guard. It was an important project he most recently worked on to get the Veterans Memorial completed in the Sarles town square.

He also served on the Border Central School Board and as bus transportation director, Sarles Community Club, the UTMA Board of Directors, NDTC Board of Directors and North Plains Utility Company Board of Directors. He was a past member of the Elks and Masonic Lodge. He gained many lifelong friends and maintained those relationships until his passing.

He loved visiting with his family, his 5 siblings and their children, friends from the Sarles area and anyone new he met. He was always up for a celebration or party.

He is survived by his wife, Janet, children Don (Donna) Estenson, Nancy (Jim) Carlson and Mark (Susan) Estenson. Grandchildren Randina (Mike) Bjornstad, Evan (Karleen) Estenson, Jayme Carlson, Jenna (Kris) Donovan, Brady (Brenna) Carlson, Jared Estenson, Karli (Mason) Laber, and Kayla Estenson.

Great Grandchildren Mic Bjornstad (Maddi), Josie Estenson and Zach Estenson (Brianna), Karter, Landon and Liam Donovan, Bristol and Baylor Carlson, August and Oliver Estenson and Kayden Laber. Siblings Maxine Martin, Viv (Tom) Yon, Roberta Price, Connie (Brent) Johnston and Jerry (Colleen) Estenson, Sister-in-law Beverly Curtis and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Marie Estenson, infant brother Donald, father-in-law and mother-in-law Ralph and Leona Hendrickson, brothers-in-law Marvin Stenson, Bud Martin, Dennis Price, Ralph Jr. and John Hendrickson and sister-in-law Kathy Hendrickson.

Services will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 11:00 am at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. Military honors will be conducted outside the church immediately after the service and a luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Visitation will be from 10-11:00 am prior to the service at the church

There will be a burial at the Sarles Cemetery at a later date.