Harold Ilaug

Harold Ilaug died Monday, November 13, 2023 at Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 97.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Baxter.  Rev. Matt Danielson will officiate and interment will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the church.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Harold Walter Ilaug was born February 11, 1926 in Dawson, MN and was the son of Bernholdt and Alma (Skotterud) Ilaug. He grew up in Dawson, MN where he attended school. Harold was a proud Veteran of Foreign Wars. He enlisted in the Navy and served aboard a destroyer in World War II and later enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War in the motor pool. He was honored as recipient of the Bronze Star. Harold was a lifelong member of the Dawson VFW.  He met Lyla and they were united in marriage September 27, 1953 at Echo Evangelical Church. They lived in Fridley, MN before moving to a farm near Clarkfield, MN in the early 1960’s. Harold and Lyla later moved to a farm by Wood Lake, MN and their last home together was a farmstead in Baxter Township near Dawson, MN in the late 1970’s.

Harold was a man of many talents. He worked as a mechanic, then farmed for several years. He was a woodcrafter and carpenter and started the business “Ilaug Products” where he, along with his sons and brother, built fish houses and concession stands. Prior to his retirement, Harold worked many years at Ace Hardware in Montevideo. There was little that Harold could not fix or repair, from lawnmowers to window repair. Customers loved that he could help them find what they needed and give guidance on almost any home project. Harold loved to tell stories and jokes, loved to fish, and enjoyed focusing energy on his many indoor and outdoor projects. He was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Baxter.

He is survived by two children: Kevin (Wendy) Ilaug of rural Montevideo, MN and Denise (James) Scheer of Robins, IA; seven grandchildren: Kelsey (Scheer) Ryder, Cory, and Kaylee Scheer, Karin, Danielle, Kevin Jr. and Neil Ilaug; two great-grandchildren Kailur Ilaug Wadell and Julia Ryder; two brothers: Bernholdt (Bernie) Ilaug of Dawson, MN and Lawrence (Lars) Ilaug of Watertown, SD and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Lyla; son, Brian; one sister: Thelma Jane Delli Paoli; and two brothers: Fred and George Ilaug.