Loyd Harlan Gafkjen's Obituary
Loyd "Harlan" Gafkjen, born on January 9, 1939, in Sunburg, Minnesota, passed away on July 20, 2024, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 85 years old. Harlan was the beloved son of Palmer and Luella (Freese) Gafkjen.
Growing up on a farm in Sunburg, Harlan learned the value of hard work from an early age, spending his childhood working on the family farm milking cows, tending to pigs, chickens, and horses. He worked in the fields of corn, oats, wheat, flax, and alfalfa. He carried these values of hard work throughout his life, always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. Both of his parents were children of Norwegian immigrants so Norwegian was the primary language spoken at home. If you knew Harlan, you know that he was extremely proud of his Norwegian heritage. 1212
At 17, he joined the Army and was stationed in Germany. When asked about his time in the Army, he would say, "All we did was march." During his time in Germany, he took the opportunity to travel to Norway. After the Army, he moved to Minneapolis for a job in roofing. In his free time, he enjoyed playing pool, where he met Larry Pearson. Larry introduced Harlan to his daughter, Patty, who quickly became the love of his life. They married on October 29,1960, in Minneapolis, and had 4 daughters. The family later moved to Willmar where Harlan bought C & K Construction company from his uncle, Roy Knutson. He ran the business successfully for several years. In 1977, Harlan responded to God's calling on his life, sold his business, and moved to Oklahoma to attend Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow with their 4 teenage daughters and one more on the way. Throughout his years in ministry, Harlan started and pastored churches in both Minnesota and Colorado, volunteered on several mission trips, and remained a founding board member of AFCM (Association of Faith Churches and Ministers). In retirement, Harlan worked as a mechanic and bus driver for Broken Arrow School District.
While Harlan didn't focus on one career, he took on various jobs to provide for his family, making him a true jack of all trades. He could fix anything. He was known for his sense of humor and his willingness to help others. He enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing (especially ice fishing), deer hunting, and wood working.
Although Harlan loved Minnesota and Patty loved Colorado, they made Oklahoma their home to be near their children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his five daughters: Valerie Coleman, Vicki White and her husband James, Christine Schulte and her husband Karl, Michelle Sternberg and her husband David, and Natalie Fyles; his grandchildren: Miranda, Jennifer, Michael, Matthew, Rachel and her husband Landen, Brennan, Anthony, Stephanie, Olivia and her husband, Sava, and Ella; his great-granddaughter Rayna; and his brother, Ernest Gafkjen. Harlan was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sister Florence Botten, and brother Paul Lee Gafkjen.
A memorial gathering will be held from 11am - 1pm at the Prairie House Assisted Living in
Broken Arrow. Harlan and Patty will be laid to rest in the Sunburg Free Lutheran Church Cemetery in Sunburg, Minnesota 11 AM September 28, 2024.
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