Harold Leonard Nordstrom

Harold L. Nordstrom died of natural causes on August 15, 2020, at the age of 87. He was a man of great faith and the journey to his heavenly home was a peaceful one, embraced by the presence and love of his family. Born on June 15th, 1933, near Hamilton, ND, Harold was the youngest of three children. He had fond memories of growing up on the family farm, listening to his father's player piano which provided music for dancing in their home, attending the "four corners" country school and sliding down the Tongue Riverbank nearby. In 1942, his family moved to Grand Forks, ND. After graduating from high school, Harold worked at Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle, WA, for the summer. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and spent the next four years stationed at bases throughout the United States, Japan and served in the Korean War. Upon discharge, Harold began what would be an impressive 60-year aviation career with the Civil Aeronautics Administration - later known as the Federal Aviation Administration. He had assignments in Roswell, NM; Summit, AK; Grand Forks, ND; Houghton, MI; Alexandria, MN; Huron, SD and Aberdeen, SD. In 1962 while working in Alaska, he met and married Martha Terman. Harold and Martha raised four children together on a farm south of Alexandria. Harold found particular delight in tapping trees for maple syrup, snowmobiling to work during the Michigan winters and raising honeybees. His wife, Martha, battled cancer for several years before passing in 1983. In 1985, Harold married Sandra (Krosch) Anderson and moved to Aberdeen, where Harold continued to work for the FAA. He retired from his federal aviation career in 1993, at his last post in Huron. Later that year, Harold and Sandra left on a "bucket list" adventure, spending four months working at McMurdo Station on Ross Island in Antarctica. Harold was a weather ob-server while Sandra provided logistical data entry services. After returning, he continued to work as a weather observer at Pierre and Sioux Falls, SD, airports. Harold and Sandra also spent many summers running a concession trailer they owned traveling to fairs and art festivals, serving up fajitas, steak burgers, and sausages. Harold was an avid reader and most enjoyed history and biographies about space, adventure, Abraham Lincoln, General Patton and other historical personalities. He also enjoyed music and loved listening to his granddaughter play the piano. Family was Harold's greatest joy. He very much looked forward to Sunday calls to his kids and loved being a grandfather. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, James and Madelene (Rau) Nordstrom, his sib-lings Fred Nordstrom and Dorothy Maywald, and his first wife, Martha Nordstrom. Harold is survived by his devoted wife of 35 years, Sandra Nordstrom, children - John Nordstrom (Sindy), Rebekah Nordstrom-Koss (Alex), Jacque LeDoux (Daniel), Tom Nordstrom. and step-daughters, Maryann Anderson-Stern (Barry) and Christine Anderson-Ihrig (Timothy), as well as 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. A quote Harold once shared with one of his daughter's describes him well, "My heritage is my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, my home state and my country, and optimism and confidence for a brighter future." Harold will be buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. The internment date is yet to be determined. Memorials can be sent to Hospice of Green Country, 1120 S Boston Ave # 200, Tulsa, OK 74119, in memory of Harold Nordstrom, with gratitude for their compassionate care in his final days. Sympathy cards of remembrance can be sent to Sandra Nordstrom at 5505 E 104th St, Tulsa, OK, 74137

Harold Leonard Nordstrom

June 15, 1933 - August 15, 2020