Harlan Umland

Harlan “Harley” Herbert Umland, age 88, of Wadena, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, surrounded by his family at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Born on November 19, 1936, in Bartlett Township, Minnesota, to Wilbert and Emma (Walter) Umland, Harley began school in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Verndale High School in 1955. In the summer of 1958, he was working for a rural electric company’s tree trimming crew which took him to Madison, Minnesota where he met the love of his life Barbara “Barb” Jean Bauler. Before their wedding, Harley proudly served in the US Army from 1959 to 1962. His service took him to places such as France and Germany and he often told great stories of his time and work abroad.

Harley and Barb were united in marriage on June 16, 1962, in Madison, Minnesota. They made their home in Wadena where they raised their three children: Gary, Cindy and Debbie. 

From 1962 to 1986, Harley worked as a professional truck driver with Northern Co-op/Cenex traveling millions of miles across 28 states and Canada. He later drove for Mark Sand and Gravel before retiring in 1998. Post-retirement, Harley would jump in a big rig whenever someone needed help. M State Wadena recruited Harley to be one of their instructors for the Truck Driving Program, humorously Harley would note the challenge of instructing a truck driving student without the safety brake in the passenger seat.

Known as a ‘Good Neighbor’, Harley was always ready to help anyone in need, whether snowplowing a neighbor’s driveway, driving friends to appointments, watching houses while other snowbirds fled south for the winter, and performing various other acts of kindness. He simply loved being a helping hand. Spending time outdoors was a passion for Harley; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, assisting friends on the farm, and engaging in numerous outdoor activities. Harley also loved ice fishing and would host Fish Frys right on the lake for everyone to enjoy. In his retirement years, you would find him ‘putzing’ in the back garages building wood duck houses, bluebird houses, creating other crafts, and generally fixing broken things. He was an avid card player, whether with Card Club or his friends and family, you could find him laughing and telling stories across the table while playing smear, pinochle, cribbage, and a whole host of games. From the time his kids and grandkids were very little, he patiently taught them the art of cribbage. In retirement, you could find Barb and Harley having a cribbage match each and every night, best of three was the winner. With a devilish grin and a slight twinkle in his eye, Harley immensely enjoyed playing pranks on family and friends; some pranks the kids are still learning about today. Merely spending time talking and chatting with friends was important to Harley, whether enjoying coffee downtown or a cup with friends at the house, he could chat with anyone about anything. He never met a stranger!

Deeply loved, Harley’s passing will be mourned by his children: Gary Umland, Cindy Umland, and Deb Bauler; his grandchildren: Jake (Brittani) Umland, Zach Umland, Sophia Williamson, and Bennett Williamson; his great-granddaughters: Lili and Harper; his sister Shirley Eisenlohr; his sister-in-law MaryAnn Bauler; and many other relatives and circle of friends.

Harlan is preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara, his parents Wilbert and Emma, his brother Mervin (Lorraine) Umland, and brother-in-law David Eisenlohr.

Harley’s family want to extend their deepest appreciation to Patty Wendorf, Lillian Pladson, Ronnie Piepkorn and the countless other family, friends and neighbors who have surrounded him with love and support in recent years.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harlan Umland, please visit our floral store.