The Hummingbirds in AZ

Gretchen and I were looking outside at the Arizona sky.  Gretchen reflected on all her interactions with Dad.  She talked about her phone conversations, visits, camping trips, car rides, etc.  She explained that despite the good and the stressful times, Dad would always point to the beautiful things.  He would talk about the quail, the flowers, the ducks and the sky.  It was a tender moment as we remembered our Dad.  While talking, a hummingbird came to feed at the hummingbird feeder.  As always, the bird was moving its wings so fast, you couldn't even see them.  As you know, hummingbirds are always busy, never resting.  After its last drink, we expected it to take off to continue its beautiful day.  Not so, it simply landed on the nearby shelf, not far away from Gretchen and me, and it sat there, looking all around, occasionally preening itself.  That never happens.  I said to Gretchen, "Where is it that even the hummingbird sits reposed for a restful time?"  Somewhere it is written that "even the hummingbirds will perch in peacefulness."   Chris.

The Best Post

I first learned the diagnosis and prognosis on Tuesday afternoon. My father told me he was in advanced stage stomach cancer.  No treatments.  I was in shock.  Dad’s voice was very weak and the strain in his voice acted like an alarm in my heart.  I was not going to wait until the 22^nd to travel as had been my plan, and began plans to leave the very next day.  I thought long and hard about what I needed to say, what he might need to hear, and how I might be of help to him.  To say that a torrent of regrets and fears roiled about inside of me is an understatement.  “Nothing to do but pray,” I told myself as I packed.  “Each step will be guided,” an inner voice spoke to me as I boarded the plane.  I knew I had made the right decision to ask my husband to come along.  I needed his strength for what I had to face.

When I first walked in the door, in familiar voice “Is that Gretchen?” came from within the bedroom.  I crawled up on dad’s bed to wrap my arms around him, and maybe even more truthfully, to have him wrap his arms around me.  We covered the most important news of the last several days and solidified the plan that Dad and Nita intended him to stay at home, comfortable and surrounded by those he loved.  I asked him, “Do you remember when we used to take those family trips up to the mountains?”  “Yes,” he answered with a little knowing grin.  Remember how we had to do a lot of the packing together, just you and me?”  He shook his head as we shared that knowing look.  “It wasn’t much fun, was it?  The packing part I mean.”  I paused as he took his time to recall those trips of years ago.  “But then when we got to the mountains, it was all worth it, wasn’t it?”  “Yes.  Those were some of the best memories of our family’s life.  I wanted to take you on

A Note from Rick Oftel, Harold's Nephew

When I was a young boy, my parents (Monica Oftel (Myhre) and Roald Oftel) would occasionally vacation in the Northwest corner ofMinnesota spending time in Stephen, Argyle, and Warren.  I probably wore out my welcome at Grandpa Joe’s International Harvesterdealership but kids that like machinery and equipment have a way of doing exactly that.  We traveled to Warren many times and watched Harold’s family grow and grow. 

One fun memory I have was watching Harold participate in a buggy race over at the Warren fairgrounds.   Mind you, this wasn’t a typical buggy race; the buggies were pulled with ostriches.  Unfortunately, the weather had rained significantly and the strong ostriches were no match for “Gumbo.”  In case you don’t recognize the term, gumbo is the local term for sticky mud.   The birds were unhitched from the carts and I believe Uncle Harold was able to remain on the back of one huge honking bird for most of the straight away. 

Harold liked toys.  Soon after Artic Cat began production, Harold purchased a snowmobile called the Panther.  Our family left the cities for a Thanksgiving road trip and Uncle Harold was very excited to show me his new toy.  It looked really nifty but one of the requirements is snow and the outside ground was very brown.  We had a great meal that couldn’t be beat and started relaxing by the fire.  What would you expect from Norwegians and Swedes?  All of a sudden it started snowing and the snow was coming down very fast.  Within a few hours, there was about six inches of that beautiful what stuff.  Yep, Uncle Harold motioned me to the garage and that was all it took.  I rode through the cemetery, the fair grounds, and anyplace that looked reasonable.  Got it stuck and discovered it only went forward.  Oh well, it sure was fun getting cold. 

I’m positive Uncle Harold had a fulfilled and interesting life.  My best wishes to family and friends.  May God bless! 

Rick Oftel

Harold in Argyle MN

Harold claimed that even though his clothes were handmade, his parents found money to buy this wagon.  He said he was shocked to see it and could not believe his eyes.  When we showed him this picture in the last hours, he explained that his mother, Inga,  was a gentle and kind woman.  When the children of Argyle heard of the wagon, they flocked to his house and started fighting over it.  When his Mom came out, instead of shooing the children away, she asked that they take turns.  When she did that, everything calmed down.

Harold at War

A poem from Joe and Ella Myhre's home (His father and mother)

This is a poem that Grandma Ella and Grandpa Joe had up in their home.  Powerful.

God Hath Not Promised
              -- Annie Johnson Flint

God hath not promised skies always blue
Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
     But God hath promised strength for the day,
     Rest for the labour, light for the way,
     Grace for the trials, help from above,
     Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptations, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
     But God hath promised strength for the day,
     Rest for the labour, light for the way,
     Grace for the trials, help from above,
      Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.
     But God hat promised strength for the day,
     Rest for the labour, light for the way,
     Grace for the trials, help from above,
     Unfailing kindness, undying love.

Torske Klubben - His Favorite Club

This entry is a prayer that was offered by Pastor Maynard Iverson, one of dad's good and dear friends, at Torske Klubben.  Torske Klubben is a fraternity of men who share a love of all things Norwegian, a good meal of Torsk and a shared understanding about the value of friendship.  When a member passes away, the men that are able all stand to offer a toast of Aquavit in honor of the life of their friend.  In dad's case, a prayer was given in addition to a toast as a small memorial from the heart of a man who had great admiration and affection for him.  Dad repeatedly expressed joy in finding this friendship, often saying it was a wonderful surprise to find such a deep connection with someone so late in life.  He mused, "I don't know why Maynard enjoys my company so much.  He is a wonderful man and good friend."

"Father-God,
Certainly you don't need our prayers ... but we need to pray.  We need to thank you often for those forefathers who left their home country ... to begin a new life in this land ... with all the customs and ways we enjoy.  But not only forefathers.  We need to thank you for the enriching, warm touch of so many people.  But today we thank you especially for one who was like a brother to his friends ... Harold Myhre.  We need to remember how he lived out a life of faith and strength .. with love, and kindness, and encouragement for others.  And today we thank you for the assurance that such an influence may continue far into the future.  Yes, gracious Lord, we need to pray for your glory and our good!  Amen." 

Stand tall. Think tall. Be tall.

Dad was zealous about making sure we learned and passed on some basic life lessons.  We could put together a whole list of sayings and teachings that he repeated for our benefit.

One stands out above the rest because he told me he learned it from his mother.  She would often repeat it to him as he left for school ... which if you consider that many of these moments were shared mother to son at her bedside, since she was mostly bedridden for the last years of her life leaves an even deeper impression.  He said he thought it was passed down from her father and grandfather ... from Norway.  He said it served him well in life.

Stand tall.  Think tall.  Be tall.

When Soren, my son, was traveling with me to a meeting to be held for young men and women interested in a military appointment, a meeting with senators and military personnel, he called his grandpa to tell him what he was doing.  Soren asked his grandpa if he had any advice for him.  Grandpa said "Stand tall."  And Soren immediately followed with "Think tall. Be tall."  Grandpa said he beamed.

Harold's Famous Trip Out West with his Fraternity Brothers

Dad took a tour out west with a group from his college fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  He reported it was the most freedom he had ever felt in his life.  Eight men in two cars, one of which was "loaned" by dad and Uncle Earl's father Joe, an extremely generous gift in its time.  The men were about 20 years old, traveled and camped in many national parks.  Dad commented it wasn't like it is now.  "You could park anywhere alongside the road and set up camp.  We would sit around, shoot the breeze, sit around a fire and enjoy nature."  Many gifts came out of this horizon expanding trip, three I will highlight.  This experience was the foundation for much of my father's future enjoyments with family.  He loved taking us to vistas beyond anything we had yet seen, delighted in standing silently next to one of his children to take in the mountain views.  He was happiest on those mountain tops.  I also have to imagine the navigating, climbing and scouting he did on that first trip helped him with his service in Korea as well, and not just as some tactical/experiential advantage.  There was only one picture in my father's military file.  It was of my father and another man bearing over a map in dim light, studying the mountain terrain.  No matter what happened in Korea, this I know about my dad ... it is sure he stopped to marvel at the beauty he found in the middle of pain.  That was a life skill he not only lived but passed on to others.  And there is one more gift that came out of that freedom tour with his friends,  I know personally that it helped him in his final climb to vistas yet unknown by those of us who have yet to follow. I will write about that in a a separate entry.

I found a sheet of paper with 8 names on it.  I am quite sure it is "the list" of young men with whom he had the time of his life ... a trip he reflected upon with his family in his final days.  It was left out on his desk ... as though he wanted to do something with the list.  Whatever he intended ... I know it was meant to be shared.

Dick Johnson
Wally Bailey
Denley McKenzie
Earl
Harold
Royal McKay
Paul Flurer
Stanley Hoistad

Enjoy the accompanying pictures of Bryce National Park.

A fellow mountain climber,
Gretchen, daughter.

Harold and His Wife Nita

"Dancing with Nita was one of my great joys.  I never had a partner like that.  She can follow anyone.   People used to just come and watch us dance."

Harold's Son and His Family

Harold's Words in His Last Days

Grandpa shared a vision of what he saw before he died.  He communicated that everything behind us is confusing and chaos ... but the path before him now  is "right" and "straight" and "clear".  "I can see it" Grandpa said.

Christ's Victory - Martin Luther

"I've told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you'll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

We should learn to remind ourselves of Christ's victory. In Christ, we already have everything that we need. We only live to spread this message of victory to other people. With our word and example, we tell them about the victory that Christ secured for us and gave to us. Christ, our victor, accomplished everything. We don't need to add anything to it. We don't need to wipe away our own sins, or try to conquer death and evil. Everything has already been done for us. We're not fighting the real battle. We're only suffering now in order to share in Christ's victory. All of our suffering combined, even all the suffering and blood of the martyrs and saints, wouldn't give us the victory. It's not

From Steve Saetre

This is a wonderful tribute to your father, our friend Harold, a proud, yet humble man. I have many good memories growing up in Warren and having our tow families together for many good times. He was a good law partner with my dad and continued on serving the people in Warren for many years. He was a gracious host filled with humor and good stories at my dad's retirement part back in 1989. I recall the many times we pulled taffy over New Year's in Warren, the snow catting, the birthday parties, the tent over nights, church, fair, school sports events, he was proud

Service Information

Services will be held at the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel in St. Paul, MN at 12 noon with a committal at the Fort Snelling National Cemetary at 2pm.

Postings Wanted

If you would like me to post a picture, comments, stories, versus, poem's etc, please send me your content to myhre247@yahoo.com.

Obituary for Harold Gordon Myhre

Surrounded by family Harold entered God’s embrace, passing away in peace at his home on November 16, 2009.  Harold was born on January 8^th, 1928 at Argyle, Minnesota to Joseph and Inga (Hendrickson) Myhre.  He attended school at Argyle, Walcott, North Dakota and Stephen, Minnesota, the latter from which he graduated high school in 1945.  He received a BSC Accounting degree from the University of North Dakota in 1950.  During the Korean War he entered military service, training extensively in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering for infantry front line and behind enemy line operations.  He served as platoon leader for the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon of the 160^th Infantry Division.  He returned to the University of North Dakota and graduated from law school with a Juris Doctor degree in 1954.  He took great pride in his characterization as a “good country lawyer”, practicing law in northwest Minnesota for 37 years.  He was admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in

Lovely Poem

The more beautiful and rich the memory,
The more the separation is difficult.
But thankfulness transforms the memory into a peaceful joy
One carries within oneself the lost beauty not as a sting
But as a priceless gift.
                            --Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Harold on a Business Trip

Harold with Ken Nelson and Warren Saetre.  Don't give the DNR this web site address.

Harold at Work

Harold at Play

Harold's Children and Nita

We all were with Dad for two whole days.  It was a very special time.  Dad was at his best and purposefully blessed each of us.  Despite the loss, God was present and He orchestrated a time of healing, beauty, great memories.

Freedom Fighter