HAROLD LOUIS HALDORSON

Harold Haldorson, 90, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at his son’s home in Yreka on January 9, 2021.

Harold was born in Eugene, Oregon to Ludwig and Esther (Inman) Haldorson on September 10, 1930. The family settled in Orland in 1946 where he attended Orland High School, graduating in 1949. A veteran of the Korean War, he served honorably in the Army from 1951 until 1953, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He married Thelma Staples of Chico in 1955. The couple first made their home in Chico, where their four children were born, and in 1963 they moved to Orland. He worked in construction erecting metal grain bins before and after his military service. In August 1960 he was hired by Chico State College (now California State University – Chico) as a groundskeeper and in 1991 retired as a maintenance plumber with 34 serviceyears to his credit. Harold loved his family and enjoyed traveling with them, especially on cross-country road trips, visiting all 50 U. S. states. His most recent family trip to Hawaii to visit his grandson, who is serving in the Marines, and granddaughter-in-law, was in March 2020 just as COVID-19 restrictions began to be implemented.

Harold’s survivors include daughters Jane Richardson (Doug) of Orland and Margery Putnam (John) of Sterling, Virginia, son Wayne of Yreka, two grandsons and their spouses, a granddaughter and four great-grandchildren, as well as numerous siblings and their families. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, parents, son Harold, Jr., older brother Clifford and sister Lillian Williams. Harold’s ashes will be interred in a private ceremony at the Odd Fellows Cemetery outside Orland. The family plans to hold a memorial gathering at a future date and requests that memorial donations be made to the Orland Community Scholarship Association, PO Box 1084, Orland CA 95963.