Harold Lowell Hayer

Harold Lowell Hayer, 81, Fargo, died Thursday, October 5, 2017 in Fargo, surrounded by family.

Harold (Harry) was born on October 4, 1936 to Howard and Lorna Hayer in a small farm house in rural Elbow Lake, MN. He also lived in Herman, MN, Staples, MN and Seattle, WA before returning to attend high school in Alexandria, MN. He graduated with a BS in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. He was a member of Gamma Beta Chapter of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He received his commission as LTJG in the United States Navy after graduating.

He married June Beverly Johnson on June 8, 1958 in Alexandria, MN four days after graduation. They moved to Astoria, Oregon where he was stationed until the spring of 1961, returning to Minneapolis, MN to work at the Fire Underwriters Inspection Bureau to fulfill a three year commitment for his college education.

In June of 1964 he joined Warner and Company in Fargo, ND. He had offers from companies all over the country but chose to raise his family in Fargo. He became president and purchased the agency as a majority owner in 1970.

He dedicated time to multiple community organizations in leadership or board roles in the Fargo Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, Olivet Lutheran Church, Dakota Bank, Dakota Hospital, Fargo Country Club, and numerous insurance company national boards. He was a member of Lake Agassiz Kiwanis Club for 50 years in which he had 42 years of perfect attendance.

Harry was an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman but was first and foremost a family man. He combined his love of family with his hobbies. A special place in the world to Harry was the family lake cabin on Lake Ida in Alexandria, MN, which his father Howard built. He also loved spending time with June and the family in Fountain Hills, AZ, the hunting “shack” in Gackle, ND and later the “farm” near Strausberg, ND.

Harry is survived by his wife of 59 years, June Hayer of Fargo, ND. He is survived by his children: Denise (Mark) Magness of Fargo, Kevin Hayer (Jean Nodsle-Fuchs) of Fargo, Brian Hayer (Kenner Gervais) of Fargo; 7 grandchildren: Jessica (Neil) Ebeling of Fargo, Jacob Magness of Mandan, Paige (Kane) Olson (mother Susan Hayer) of Fargo, Rudy Hayer of Fargo and Eden Hayer of Santa Monica, CA (mother Shirley Hayer); 2 Step grandchildren Kadie and Sara Eaton of Fargo; 5 great grandchildren: Easton, Colby and Bodee Ebeling, Jazmeka Hayer, Hawkins Olson; and many beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cherished friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lorna Hayer; sister, Harlene and her husband, Donald Watland.

Memorials may be sent to a charity of the giver’s choice.