Harold Laursen

March 19, 2020

The Rev. Harold J. Laursen, 85, of Kearney, died March 9, 2020, at his home. His funeral was at held 11 a.m. Saturday at Family of Christ Lutheran Church with Pastor John Gosswein officiating. Inurnment was at Spring Creek Cemetery, rural Ruskin. The family received friends 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. A time of fellowship and lunch followed the service at the church.

Harold James Laursen was born April 30, 1934, to Chris and Tora (Goldbeck) Laursen, at the farm residence south of Ruskin. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, Ruskin.

He received the “call” to the ministry as a youth in that congregation. He attended Prairie Home District 29 School through the eighth grade and graduated from Ruskin High School with the Class of 1952. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Dana College, Blair, Neb., in 1956 and master of divinity from Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa in 1960. In May of 1960, he was ordained into the ministry of the American Lutheran Church at Bethany Lutheran Church, Ruskin.

Harold was married to Barbara Whiteside July 28, 1956, at Atonement Lutheran Church, Chicago, Ill. To this union three children were born. Kathryn, Elizabeth and James.

Over the years, Harold served parishes in Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.

Harold retired from the active ministry in 1997 and they moved to McCook. Later they moved to Kearney. They stayed during the winter months in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. He continued to enjoy serving as interim and supply pastor in several congregations throughout Kansas, Nebraska and Texas.

Harold served on various boards and committees in the ALC and ELCA synods and conferences and in other helping organizations. He emphasized Christian life and the grace of Jesus Christ in his ministry and he had great concern and love for his congregations. He was a loving husband and father and loved his wife and family very much.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Barbara Laursen; children, Mrs. Craig (Kathryn) Fulwider, Mrs. Jon (Elizabeth) Laursen-Roesler and James (Rischa) Laursen; grandchildren, Mrs. Justin (Megan) Alvis, Nick (Holley) Laursen, Marco Laursen, Matthew Laursen, Jeremiah Laursen, Julian (Liese) Laursen, Davina James, Mrs. Robert (Tiana) Brown, Mrs. Darrell (Erica) Yelder; great-grandchildren, Lilly and Olivia Alvis, Roudmaline and Roudly Roesler-Lundy, Robert Jr. and Brysen Davis, Ellia Yelder; sister, Elizabeth Kaldahl; and nieces and nephews.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother-in-law, Vernon Kaldahl. sister in-law, Ellen Crum.

Memorials are suggested to Family of Christ Lutheran Church Building Fund or Oaks Indian Center. Condolences may be shared online at http://www.osrfh.com .

O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services was in charge of arrangements.