James E.E. Haarstad was born in Fargo, ND on January 8, 1934, to Oscar and Elvina (Skalet) Haarstad. Jim spent his early years in Averill, Moorhead and Glyndon, MN, graduating from Glyndon High School. He married Hazel Hite on November 9th, 1952.

Jim graduated from Moorhead State College. He worked as a funeral director at Wright Funeral Home, and then as Vice President of Barrett Mobile Home and Transport for 4 years. He then became a real estate broker, working with Island Park Realty. He left Island Park Realty to join Tom Kloster in opening Metro Realtors. After 8 years of great partnership with Tom, Jim opened Evergreen Realty in Fargo which he eventually sold to Encore Realty, with Encore eventually becoming Coldwell Banker.

Jim was blessed with many great friends in the industry and was very thankful for his many loyal customers throughout the years. Jim was President of the Fargo-Moorhead Board of Realtors twice, was Outstanding Realtor of the Year and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the local board. Jim was involved in many activities outside of work, including his church and being a charter member and President of the Mid-Day Lions, and a member of the Moorhead Jaycees. In 1965 he received the Jaycee's Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award locally as well as being named one of The Ten Outstanding Young Men in the state of Minnesota's Jaycee program.

Jim was on the board of the Children's Harbor School in Moorhead and the board of the Moorhead Public Library. He was also on the Moorhead City Council for 8 years. After retirement Jim was a hospice volunteer for several years in Moorhead and in Arizona. Jim and Hazel enjoyed their lake homes for many years, first at Little Cormorant and later at Pelican Lake. He and Hazel enjoyed time spent with their kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at the lake and treasured those memories. His family was his #1 pride.

Hazel passed away in 2013 after 60 years of marriage. Jim married Ardis Johnson on May 3rd, 2014, which added more family relationships to his life.

Jim is survived by his wife, Ardis; his son, J. David (Sue) Haarstad; his daughters, Debra (Robert) Remark, and Dawn Groslie. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nicole (Josh) Swanson, Michael (Anna) Haarstad, Lisa (Dustin) Thorson, Heather (Nick) Olson, Rob (Amber) Remark, Cy (Laura) Groslie; and his great-grandchildren, Emma and Katelyn Swanson, Lily Olson, Heidi, Hazel and Hunter Haarstad, Charli, Margo and Tucker Thorson, Louis, Leo and Josephine Remark, and James Tanner Groslie.

He was also preceded in death by brothers, Oscar and Wes; and by his son-in law, Craig Groslie.

Visitation will be Monday, August 17, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Memorial service will be Tuesday, August 18, at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior to the service in Maranatha Free Lutheran Church, Glyndon, MN.