Harlen E. Vollum, 82, Williston and former resident of New Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Harlen was born on May 26, 1928, in Osnabrock, the son of Henry and Josephine (Johnson) Vollum.

He was raised and educated in Williston. Harlen then joined the U.S. Navy in March 1946.

His whole life, he was an avid carpenter and worked in many states such as New Jersey, Colorado and California just to name a few. He went where the jobs took him.

His home was always Williston. After retiring, he returned to his roots and continued to work with his hands to stay busy doing wood working. Many items he would make would be for his daughter, Cheryl, to include two full-sized wishing wells for her gardens.

Even for himself, he would have a talent to make many a designer walking canes and sticks to help him walk in later life.

His other favorite pastime was to go fishing and gardening. Harlen was also a true cowboy fan, enjoying anything western. Later in life, he stayed at home watching old cowboy movies every chance he got.

Harlen is survived by his children, Cheryl Zafke and her husband, Paul, Emerado; Lois Strehlow and her husband, Dan, Burnsville, Minn.; sisters, Margaret Hoey, East Setauket, N.Y., Hazel Pariak, Ohio, Dorothy Olson, Florida and Elvina Rolla, Wisconsin; six granddaughters and one great-grandson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Percy (Bud) Vollum; sister, Violet Ruth (Vollum) Lee and his best four-legged friend for life, Daisy.

Upon his last wishes, he requested no memorial or service of any kind. His body is to be cremated.

“He stood at the threshold of heaven on high, a carpenter’s hammer and a saw at his side.

The clothes on his shoulders were threadbare and worn, and his old leather apron was empty and torn.

The carpenter bowed to the great master’s call, and laid to the side his hammer and saw.

He welled in emotion, no words could he say, So he fell to his knees and he humbly prayed.

The lord said, "No rise up before me and come take my hand, I’ll show you my promise of a glorious land.

Lay down your old apron for your labors are through, Come home to this mansion that I’ve built here for you.”

(Excerpt from “the Carpenters Prayer” lyrics by Eddie Carr)