Harold Lindquist, 89, died January 19th, 2019, at the CHI St. Alexius Garrison Skilled Nursing Facility. A Funeral service will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Max on Friday, January 25th at 2 pm.
Harold Wesley Lindquist was born November 19, 1929. He was the 7th of 10 children born to Carl Albert and Anna (Torgerson) Lindquist of Max, ND. His older siblings are all deceased: Eileen Gunning Soley, Orville (wife Edna still living in ID), Marleys Curfman Hoch, Frances (Ervin) Brandt, Donald, and Walter (wife Pauline still living in Minot). He is survived by his three younger siblings: Clarice (husband Al deceased) Zimmerman, of Boyd WI, Duane (Shirlee), of Tacoma, WA, and Gordon Lindquist of Bottineau.
He told many stories of his years in HS playing his favorite game, basketball! He graduated from Max High School in 1947, and was always proud to say he attended college in Wahpeton for a semester. Harold was friendly and talked to people wherever he was. He would drink coffee all day long, and loved to say the only Norwegian phrase he knew "Kaffe er det beste av alle jordiske drikker," which means "Coffee is the best of all earthly drinks". He was a pool shark and an excellent whist player, (who almost always Granded).
In 1950 he married Claryce Johnson from Ruso. They had 6 children: Darlene (Jim) Wagner, Pueblo West, CO; Diane (Don) McCall, Waconia, MN; Jon Lindquist, who died in a fire at age 21 in 1976; Joel (Vickie) Lindquist, Garrison, ND; Michele McCown, Pueblo West, CO: and Lisa (John) Haugen, Garrison, ND. Claryce and Harold lived in Max or on the farm SW of Max for the duration of their 43 years of marriage. They were active in the Max community and Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Harold was the unofficial caretaker of Zion Lutheran Cemetery for many years.
Sunday afternoons were usually spent visiting and sharing meals with friends and extended family. Projects were sometimes completed, and vehicles often changed hands when Claryce's brothers Bob (Lucille-deceased), Jerry (Mary), and Don (deceased) Johnson stopped by. Claryce survived cancer, but died of a heart attack in 1994.
Harold worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad from 1953-1974. He started his career as a Fireman and later was promoted to Engineer. He always spoke fondly of his time with the railroad, and the friends he made there. Harold farmed the Lindquist homestead until 1992, when he retired and John and Lisa took over the operation. He continued to live on the farm until 2014. In 2002 he proudly hosted a party to celebrate the designation as a Centennial Farm! Harold enjoyed animals and kept busy for a time with cows, miniature horses, and even a llama at one point! He dearly loved his farm dogs and cats.
Harold found love again, and in 1998 he married Eleanor (Southam) Snyder, who is originally from Sherwood/Minot. Ellie's children are: Bonnie Cree (deceased), Becky Rosborough, Kent (MJ) Snyder, Kelly (Jonella) Snyder, Kurt (Lisa) Snyder. These 2 families combined to make A LOT of relatives! At the time they married, Harold and Ellie each had 9 brothers and sisters, and 5 living children. Harold had 13 grandchildren and Ellie had 12. Of course the families continued to grow, with the combined current count of 31 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren! They were fortunate to be able to do a lot of traveling in the first 15 years of their marriage. They enjoyed dancing, and were members of the Moose, Eagles, and NW Polkateers.

Harold enjoyed the many family gatherings and especially spoiling and entertaining the kids. All the grandchildren have memories of Grandpa shooting baskets with them, pulling them on sleds on the ice, and making a train of strollers and wagons he pulled behind the lawn mower.
He taught many of them to play whist, and attended as many games, recitals, and concerts as he possibly could. For many years he documented their lives with his videocamera. He was always a vocal supporter. When he had grandsons playing on opposite teams, he cheered for them both. LOUDLY!
Not all of Harold's years were happy ones. He was an alcoholic, and went through treatment many times before he finally achieved long term sobriety starting in 1991. He attended AA regularly, was a sponsor many times, and found good friends while working the program. He was a fan of Martin Luther, and credited his response to the 3rd article of the small catechism for helping him stay sober. Even after he lost his memory, he could still quote it.
Music has always been loved by Harold, and his favorite job ever was being "manager" for his brother, Gordy "Crazy Fingers" Lindquist. He was so proud of his little brother, and he enjoyed sharing some of the limelight. Harold and Ellie were able to spend a few winters in Arizona, and that was a good opportunity to be there for many shows.
When Harold was 83 it became evident that dementia was stealing his short term memory. It was hard for him to lose his independence, and terrible to watch him be confused and depressed. They moved to Minot and Ellie took care of him as long as she could, then in March of 2018 he moved into the CHI St. Alexius Garrison Skilled Nursing Facility, where he received excellent care. The staff there treated him with compassion, and he oftentimes showed them his charm and humor!
One skill Harold retained was the ability to play Whist, which he did with great joy and much success this past Christmas. Harold continues to give of himself by donating his body to science. He made this decision many years ago, and his family proudly supports his gift.