Harold Mitchell Erland

Harold Mitchell Erland, died peacefully on November 21, 2015 in Bellevue, Washington. He was 94 years old and was surrounded by several family members.

Harold was born in North Bend on July 28, 1921 to parents, Christopher Erland and Edna Mae Moore. In high school, Harold played football and participated in track and field. After he graduated, from North Bend High School, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in June 1939. He was stationed at Hickam Field Hawaii, and survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. During WWII, he served as a crew chief on bombers in the South Pacific. He was discharged from the service in 1945.

He married Helen Jean Siefferman on May 23, 1943. Harold and Helen had four sons and in 1969 a daughter joined the nuclear family. In the 60’s and 70’s, they were foster parents to over 65 children.

Harold worked at Weyerhaeuser for 40 plus years, starting as a planer operator and retiring as the head planerman.

Serving the community and volunteering was a way of life for Harold. In the late 1940’s, he was Boy Scout Master for Troop 466 in North Bend and in the mid-60’s and 70’s, he was Scout Master for Troop 491 in Snoqualmie. He received the Silver Beaver award from the Chief Seattle Council. During the same timeframe, he led the Snoqualmie Valley Junior Rifle Club and taught hunter’s education. He was also a lifetime member of the Sallal Grange.

Harold and his wife, Helen, were instrumental in establishing the Food Bank at North Bend Community Church and worked tirelessly at the foodbank every week during the 1980’s. Harold and Helen were honored to serve as Grand Marshals of the Snoqualmie Days parade based on their devotion and longtime service to the Valley.

After Harold retired, he spent time cutting and delivering firewood to friends and members of the community. He enjoyed many other outdoor activities including: camping, fishing, gardening, picking blackberries and hunting. He loved to play cribbage and pinochle. He especially loved tomatoes from the east side of the mountains and during the summer, he and Helen made frequent trips to Yakima for fresh fruit and vegetables.

After the passing of Helen in 1987, he married Levora Perry in 1990 and moved to Boise, Idaho. He lived there until she passed in 2006, then returned to the North Bend area and spent his last two years living in Bellevue, Washington.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Helen, his second wife of 16 years, Levora Perry, his sisters Merle Wiss, Severna Kerby and most recently his 106 year old sister Leona Koch (Babe).

He is survived by his children, Harold II (Butch) and wife Carol, Carl and his wife Racine, Frederick Erland (Fritz), John and wife Diane and Tresa Berg and husband David. His grandchildren include Heidi Erland and Heather Hamerly, Carla Resh and Russell Erland, Shari Boggs and Angie Langston, and Andrew and Taylor Berg. His great grandchildren: Jack and Lydia Hamerly, Ryan, Shannon and Hannah Langston and Kailey Repetowski. His great, great grandchild Brooke Harris. A nephew, Harold Koch and wife Kae; niece, Edna Fitzgerald and many other loving relatives.

A celebration of Harold’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015 at the North Bend Community Church, followed by a lunch reception in the fellowship hall, 121 E. 3rd Street, North Bend, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank at 122 E. 3rd Street, (North Bend Community Church) in Harold’s memory.