Harold Vatthauer, 84, died on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at Minnesota Green Leaf, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2006 " 2:00 PM at Evangelical Free Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Jim Howard, officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM with a prayer service held at 7:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Harold Ernest Vatthauer was born on December 28, 1921 in Ridgeway, Iowa the son of Fred and Agnes (Qualley) Vatthauer. He moved to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota with his parents at age 3. At age 5 his family moved to Plummer, Minnesota where he grew up. They attended the Plummer Presbyterian Church where he accepted Christ as his Savior at age 16. Later he and his father started the Vatthauer Dairy, delivering bottled milk and cream in Plummer, house to house for 12 years.

On October 12, 1951, Harold was united in marriage to Marian Sollom in Viking, Minnesota. They farmed for a few years, and then because Harold developed severe allergic conditions, he had to sell his Brown Swiss herd and took a job at Plummer Coop Creamery taking in milk and cream and churning butter for 5 years. He then took the job as Chief Boiler Engineer, Head Custodian, and part time school bus driver for ISD for 27 ½ years until he retired in 1989. He was switchman for Otter Tail Power Company at Plummers Station of 10 years. Harold served as councilman for the City of Plummer for sixteen years until they moved to Thief River Falls. Harold and Marian enjoyed going and visiting their families, helping with jobs that needed to be done. They also enjoyed going on trips to see some of the continental US and Alaska.

Harold was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls. He served as Overseas Mission Treasurer for 25 years. In the summer he gave his vacation time to drive the bus for the Free Church Christanos singing group to Chicago, Illinois; Whitewater, Wisconsin, and Estes Park, Colorado. He also served at Free Church Bereans Fellowship President and was leader of the Tuesday mornings Mens Prayer Group. Harold was also instrumental in getting the Sunday evening Hymn Singing started. In August of 2000 Harold decided to follow his Lord in emersion baptism.

Harold is survived by three children, Neilden (Pam), Rochester, MN, Edlyn (Sandra), Arlington, TX and Renate (Greg) Schmitke, Glyndon, MN; 14 grandchildren, Melissa Vigstol, Gaylord, MN, Karalee Vigstol, Apple Valley, MN, Andrea (Eric) Freeberg, Lakeville, MN, Reid Vigstol, Rosemount, MN, Deneall, April, Lana and Brooke Vatthauer, all Rochester, MN, Karlyn, Brenlyn and Matthew Vatthauer, all Arlington, TX, Joshua, Benjamin and Ruth Schmitke, all Glyndon, MN; a great grandson, Deniel Vigstol, Apple Valley, MN; sisters in law, brothers in law, nephews, nieces and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marian, son Karlen, daughter Ronalie, parents, brother Walter and sister Alice.