Elmer Harpole

Elmer Jackson Harpole, 93, peacefully passed away on March 26, 2025.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, April 1, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Steele, ND.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Monday, March 31, at the Steele Eastgate Memorial Chapel, 518 Mitchell Ave, Steele, ND. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM.

Burial will be held at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Steele.

Born to Ida (Foster) and Andrew Jackson Harpole. Elmer grew up in Oregon, where he worked alongside his father and brothers as loggers and avid hunters. 

After being drafted into the Navy, Elmer was stationed in Hawaii. He married Betty (Horn) Job on March 18, 1958, in Oregon, and they later moved to Betty's family farm north of Steele. Together, they farmed, ranched, and raised their family. 

Elmer was known for his "inventive" solutions—he could weld, fabricate, and come up with just about anything to "fix" a neighbor's broken tractor or whatever else was giving them trouble. His idea of a repair might not always be in the instruction manual, but it always got the job done! He loved spending time outdoors, working around the farm, and being out in the fields. He spent countless hours on his equipment whether it was combining, chopping corn, in his tractors, Caterpillar or Bobcat digging up rock. 

He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, his countless trips with family and friends to Idaho hunting or out on the lake doing some fishing. He had a great sense of humor and was always up for a small talk chat from whomever stopped by. He enjoyed spending time with his many dogs over the years and was happiest at home, driving around his farm and taking in the beauty of the land. 

Elmer leaves behind a lasting legacy through all who knew him. He is survived by his children, Jerry (Diane), Kenneth (Maybell), Kathy (Gerald), Rick (Gail), Terry (Barb), and Tammy (Rob); 22 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mert and Gloria. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and neighbors, but his humor and love for the simple things will live on in the hearts of all who remember him.