Roland Dean Harlow

August 6, 1927 - January 13, 2019

Roland Dean Harlow, 91, of Fergus Falls died January 13, 2019, at the MN Veterans Home Fergus Falls. He was born on August 6, 1927, in Bertha, MN, to Harry Edwin and Annie Almira (McAllister) Harlow. At Bertha High School, Roland was a stand-out athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He boasted that he was 15th in his 1946 class. Only later, comically, did he admit that there were only 15 in his class. After high school, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and also participated in military athletics. Roland played for the Fergus Falls Red Sox baseball team from 1950-1960. In 1950, the team won the State Class AA Championship and in 1960, they finished second in the State Class B Tournament. Roland and Donna Jane (Boe) were married in 1951. Together they were blessed with five children. Needless to say, the household was never a quiet one. Roland and Donna loved dancing around the house, at ballrooms and parties. They both had careers in the Fergus Falls Public Schools. They loved Harlow get-togethers, family and friend gatherings, fishing and golfing. Roland was member of the Elks Club, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and Pebble Lake Golf Club. He also enjoyed watching the Twins, Vikings and Otters, playing in his garden behind the garage and mixing up seed concoctions for birds and squirrels at the MN Veteran’s Home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Annie Harlow; siblings, Peg (Kip), Leona (Vernie), Lillain (Carl), Harry (Sis), Bev (Gordon), Jean (Lon) and Robert; nephew, Dick Harlow; in-laws, Truman and Violet Risbrudt; and four four-legged friends. Roland is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Vicki (David) Hanneman, Michael Harlow, Mary Rea, Christi (Neil) Brendmoen and Nancy Harlow; six grandchildren, Mindy (Brian), Kelsey, Jay (Samantha), Tannis (Zachary), Andrew and Abbie (Adam); six great-grandchildren, Charlie, Charlotte, Ellie, Henry, Aden and Clyde; sister and brother-in-law, Naomi and Bob Bowman and their families and Harlow nieces and nephews; Memorials are preferred to the Fergus Falls 544 Education Foundation, 518 Friberg Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Friday, January 18, 2019 at Olson Funeral Home Chapel, Fergus Falls, MN Clergy: Chaplain David Strom Interment: First Lutheran North Cemetery, Fergus Falls Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com