Harold Olaf Moen was born March 27, 1917, in Hallock, Minn. 

He died in his home Nov. 28, 2014, in Kalispell.

Harold is survived by his daughter, Joann Perrett, and son-in-law, David Wilson; daughter-in-law, Wren Moen; granddaughter, Annette, and husband, Rick Perry; and great-grandsons, Jackson, Dylan and Luke Perry. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dick Mooney; eight nieces, four nephews and their families. 

Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Moen; his son, Irvin Moen; and his four siblings and their spouses.

Harold lived in Minnesota until 1928 when the Moen family moved to Eastern Montana, north of Wolf Point. It was there that Harold began riding horses and in his words, “doing real cowboy work.”

 The next few years were extremely difficult. It was the Depression and a severe drought caused all crops to fail. During this harsh time, the family barely survived.

 The fall of 1936, the family moved to Western Montana near Whitefish. Here Harold and his father cut timber and worked in a sawmill. Harold made 47 1/2 cents per hour and thought he was rich! 

In 1942, Harold was drafted and served in the United States Army during World War II. After basic training, he was assigned to the 33rd Medical Ambulance Battalion. Harold’s outfit was sent to England where they were in charge of evacuation of the wounded by land, sea and air. 

Harold was honorably discharged December 1945, and a few weeks later reunited with his fiancee, Alice Sturm. They were married March 1, 1946, near Moscow, Idaho. The newlyweds lived in Portland and Edmonds, Wash., before moving to Montana in 1949. Kalispell has been home to Harold since 1950.

 Harold had an innate understanding of all things mechanical and the skill to repair them. He supported his family by working as a mechanic and later in his career earned the title, master mechanic. During the building of Hungry Horse Dam, Harold maintained that project’s heavy duty construction equipment. Throughout his career, he was employed by the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant, the Massey Ferguson Farm Implement Company and Caterpillar, Inc. Prior to his retirement, Harold was supervisor of the Flathead County Shops.

 Harold had a deep appreciation for the natural wonders of this earth. Harold and family could often be found hiking in the Rocky Mountains or picnicking near one of the many lakes near Kalispell.

 Harold’s great joys were his family and his faith. He committed his life to God in the early 1930s and never waivered in either belief or service. He was an elder and in his words, “We had the wonderful privilege of having fellowship meeting in our home for over 40 years.”

 Harold passed away in his apartment at Prestige Assisted Living, surrounded by the love of his family and his Prestige caregivers.

Harold’s family sends a special thank you to hospice for their care and compassion.

Visitation for Harold will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, at the Fairgrounds Expo Building. 

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.