Harland E. Mears, 86, Harvey died Sunday, November 11, 2012 at the St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey.

Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday November 14 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Harvey. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey with prayer services at the funeral home at 7 p.m.

Harland E. Mears was born on February 16, 1926 on the family farm near Wolford, ND. He was the son of Simon and Marion (Arnold) Mears. (He was delivered by a midwife, Mary Baker) He attended country school near Wolford and high school in Rugby. He served in the Army from 1954 to 1956 and was stationed in Virginia. After his discharge in 1956 he returned to Rugby and worked for his brother on a farm and for James Romig as an electrician. Harland started working for Otter Tail Power Company in 1958. Harland and Jeanette E. Mahler were married on June 6, 1959 in Bottineau. He served in the Rugby, Michigan, Devils Lake and Harvey Otter Tail Divisions as a lineman and service representative. He retired in Harvey in March, 1991. Jeanette died on July 9, 2010.

Harland's hobbies were woodworking, visiting with friends in his yard or at a local cafe, walking and working in the yard. He also enjoyed playing pinochle and dollar hamburger nights at the Eagles Club. Harland was a member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Harvey Knights Of Columbus Council, American Legion Post and the Wells Eagles Aerie # 3080 all in Harvey.

Harland is survived by daughters, Marilyn (Mark) Demory of Harvey; Sandra (Steve) Anderson of Moorhead, MN; son, Dennis (Valerie) Mears of Milbank, SD; eight grandchildren, Eric and his wife Sascha Demory of Minot, Kristin and her husband, Jacob Stoltz of Williston, Jessica Demory of Harvey; Bailey and Brady Anderson of Moorhead; Mackenzie, Nicholas and Andrew Mears of Milbank, SD; sister, Luella Avens of Billings, Montana; mother-in-law, Aleda Mahler of Harvey.

Harland was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two children at birth; brothers, Tom, Jim, John and Alex; sister, Elizabeth Halvorson. Harland always had a smile for everyone and it will be dearly missed. Memorials are preferred to the donors choice.