Harold "Hal" G. Waale

Hal’s service will be livestreamed below starting at 11:00 AM Monday, April 24, 2023

Harold (Hal) Waale, 86 years old, of Fargo, ND, died on April 8th in Scottsdale, AZ. Hal was born on September 26, 1936, in Thief River Falls, MN, to Henry and Tilla (Asbjornson) Waale. He attended country school in Kratka township, MN, and high school in Goodridge, MN, graduating in 1954 as salutatorian.

Hal attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, prior to transferring to Moorhead State Teachers College, graduating in 1958 with degrees in Industrial Arts and Business Education. He enlisted in the Navy Reserve in 1955, serving active duty for three years. In August 1958 Hal married Gayle Summer in Herman, MN. They started their married life in Karlstad, MN, where Hal and Gayle taught at Karlstad High School for two years and their first daughter, Kim, was born.

On a leap of faith, they moved to Fosston, MN, to open a paint and glass store for one year, before returning to Karlstad to teach for another three years during which their son David was born. In 1964 Hal and Gayle moved to Moorhead, MN, where Hal completed an elementary education degree and their third child, Susan, was born. Hal began teaching sixth grade at Washington Elementary School, Thief River Falls, MN, in 1965.

After a total of nine years of teaching, Hal began working for Arctic Enterprises in 1969, retiring in 1999 as a Senior Purchasing Agent. During this time, he was a member of the Kiwanis, Golden K, and the Jaycees of Thief River Falls. He also earned his private pilot’s license and was an active member of Civil Air Patrol, in which he flew search and rescue missions as a captain. Hal and Gayle purchased a cottage on Middle Cormorant Lake, began wintering in Scottsdale, AZ and, in 2009, moved to Fargo, ND. Hal and Gayle were members of Trinity Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN, and Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND.

Hal enjoyed farming, lake life, winters in Arizona, flying airplanes, and travel. Above all else, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren whenever possible.

Hal is survived by his beloved wife, Gayle (Summer) Waale; his children Kim Waale (David Lloyd); David (Kimberly) Waale; Susan (Randy Toppen) Milender; grandchildren Mari (Marcus) Beedle; Alex, Erik, and Elly Milender; Nia Lloyd, Annie and Nick Waale; and a great-grandchild, Annaka Beedle.

An only child, Hal is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Tilla Waale; and son in law, Jeff Milender.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Red River Valley, Olivet Lutheran Church projects, or Veterans Memorial Honor Flight.