Harlan 'Shorty' Flatjord

Harlan “Shorty” Flatjord

harlan flatjord
Harlan “Shorty” Flatjord, age 80, of Alta Vista, IA, died on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach, CA. Harlan “Shorty” Alvin Flatjord was born to Alvin and Trena (Sanderson) Flatjord on September 28, 1931 in New Hampton. Shorty attended and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1949. After graduating he entered the United States Navy on April 4, 1951. Upon receiving his honorable discharge on March 31, 1955 Shorty attended Milwaukee School of Engineering and graduated in 1958 with a BSEE in engineering. He worked for Rockwell-Collins as a field representative in the aeronautical division for 30 years until his retirement in 1987. Survivors include Shorty’s nephews, Richard Stone of Garden Grove, CA, Stanford Stone of Portland, OR and Terry Stone of Costa Mesa, CA. As an uncle he is remembered as being a good natured, humorous, and stubborn Norwegian. In his hometown of Alta Vista where he maintained the family farm, he was a fixture and always seemed to stay busy. If you wanted to talk you would have to call early in the morning to catch him in the house. He didn’t believe in answering machines and did not pick up in the evening because of the ‘solicitors’. He did love to receive mail. We all enjoyed coming to the farm in the summer to work and play when we were children and still consider Alta Vista a sweet vision. He was a wonderful person, like the rest of his family and friends there, and we are thrilled to be sharing his DNA. As a man of deep faith we are sure he will be pleased with his rewards in heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Trena Flatjord; his brother Paul and sister, Burdeen Stone. Cemetery: Burial will be in Crane Creek Cemetery. at Crane Creek Immanuel Lutheran Church near Jerico, IA with Pastor Vincent Fricke officiating. Memorials may be directed to Shorty’s family. at Crane Creek Immanuel Lutheran Church near Jerico.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Shorty was a one of a kind ‘kind’ person. He was a classic uncle when I was growing up. Always made me smile and ‘allowed’ me to wash and wax his Ford Fairlane for 5 bucks every other weekend. Now that I am older have a deep appreciation for just what a character he was. He will be sorely missed.

  2. Shorty was my great uncle in the technical terms but he was more of a grandfather than anything else. I will miss him dearly and consider myself blessed to have had him in my life.

  3. “Shory” was an character, a man of few words, he always had a smile on his face. He was a kind and gentle sole. He loved his California family and loved his family and friends back home. He was always kind to everyone he came across. His eyes would light up when he would get to see Makenna and Emily. Shorty loved children. He loved his farm and loved his Christmas trees. Shorty loved life.

    I personally will miss Shorty’s dinner of Meatloaf, cottage cheese and red jello all mixed up together, but he seemed to enjoy it. He was a character.

    Shorty thanks for putting a smile on my face.

    Be good

  4. I will miss Uncle Shorty, he was always quick with a joke or a chuckle and I loved watching him with the children. He would get a twinklie in his eye and always make them laugh…He was always generous and kind.

  5. Shorty will always be remembered by his smile, I never saw him ever being unhappy. He sure took pride in his canning goods that he made from his garden. We will miss his smiling face. He is now at peace with his family. They are looking down on us and being our guardian angels. We love you Shorty rest in peace.

  6. I only had the pleasure of getting to know “Shorty “during the last few weeks of his life. I am a friend of the family and went with Terry, Sharon and Shorty to “Santa Anita” for a fun day at the horse races. You could see by the sparkle in his eyes that he was in his element. I can still see him grinning when asked: “So Shorty who are you picking for this race”? He would chuckle and keep his selection private until the race was complete. The laughter that day was never ending. I feel blessed I was able to get to know the kind, gentle, side of a man that is held in such high regards by his family and friends. Bless You Shorty and Rest In Peace.

  7. Shorty was a fun, outgoing, loving guy, he was a great friend and a heck of a golfing buddy. There are so many good memories with him. I remember spending a lot of time with Shorty as a kid taking care of the Christmas Tree Farm and having fun. He will be greatly missed. RIP Shorty!

  8. My Sympathy to Shorty’s family. He was a visiting friend and neighbor. He was kind and generous. Remembered me with fresh rhubarb . He will surely be missed in Alta Vista. R.I.P- Shorty

  9. Some of our Memories of Shorty. He always gave the kids a goody bag after the Christmas program at church full of McDonalds coupons, a Big bag of M&M’s plus many other treats, He taught us how to pickle beets, he liked to drink or two, he hired our boys to help with his evergreen trees, and he would always blow his horn or stop in if he was in the area. These are just some of our memories of a good man. We will miss you, Shorty.

  10. Shorty was the uncle that everyone would treasure. He was such a positive influence on the lives of my two brothers and me. At times it seemed as if he he had stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting into our lives. We will miss you Shorty, but we have a lifetime of memories to fill our hearts.

  11. Thank You for “ALL” of our memories! You will be missed greatly! Give Nama and Papa a big kiss and hug from me…..I will miss our penny/licorice poker and betting on the ponies 🙂 You were a wonderful man whom I loved very much.. XOXO until we meet again I will “be good”

  12. When I think of Shorty, the word “colorful” comes to mind. He loved his family, and he took good care of them. Although he had no children of his own, he was like a father to many. I treasure the memories of the dinners at the Stone house, where Shorty would proudly serve his famous Lefse! He will be missed, but it makes me smile when I think of him and Nama celebrating in Heaven!

  13. I’m so sorry for the sudden loss of your Uncle. I didn’t know him very well but my borther Kevin talked alot about him. I knew your grandparents well. Alvie at one time work for my dad in the implement. We got our eggs from your grandmother. Alvie was the one who drove my partents to Waterloo to get married that October day in 1946 at 5 in the morning as it was a secret to all in town. I remember the years you boys came to vist with your mom every summer. Janice Alt and I would always get together with you. I guess that was a long time ago and Ata Vista was so much different back then. Always remember the memories, as they are great, hold on to all of them.

  14. Shorty you are one of the finest people we have ever met in this lifetime. We will always remember our trip to Iowa. We always looked forward to hearing from you and writing back at Christmas. You will always be in our hearts and mind, Love ~ Gene & Eileen

  15. Thank you Uncle Shorty for making me feel like a part of your family, I have always missed you and will always love you as if you were my own.

  16. On behalf of everyone associated with Wartburg College, I extend my sympathy to Shorty’s family. May God’s amazing grace give you peace and comfort.

    Scott Leisinger

  17. Today we will be celebrating the life of our dear christian friend Shorty. He was a one of a kind man and a genuine friend. He will rest in peace! God be with all the Stone family and his friends especially today. – The Schaible Family, Lyle, Val, Mike, Sandi, Lexy, Rod, Deniae, Hailey and Evan, Burnsville, Mn.

  18. We met Shorty while my father, Fred was station on Okianwa with the USAF in the 60’s. He was a great friend of my parents. Shorty, Marty and my Dad played golf every weekend. Then over to our home for a BBQ. He would bring each of us three children our own bag of candy. Then we were station in NC and he was there for a short while and was part of our family again. We had lost touch with Shorty but, was in contact with him in recent year. Dad and him would chat on the phone and sent letters, again he was apart of our family. He called my brother when he was a young boy “Sam the bartener”. Sam bring me a green one. Shorty heres to you in heaven have a green one and say Hi to my mother!


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle Cancel reply

  1. Light a Candle
  2. Light a Candle
  3. Light a Candle
  4. Light a Candle
  5. Light a Candle
  6. Light a Candle
  7. Light a Candle
  8. Light a Candle

harlan flatjord
Harlan “Shorty” Flatjord, age 80, of Alta Vista, IA, died on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Hoag Memorial Hospital in New Port Beach, CA. Cemetery: Burial will be in Crane Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Shorty's family. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, April 28, 2012 with a visitation from 9:30 am to the time of the service at Crane Creek Immanuel Lutheran Church near Jerico, IA.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

  1. Light a Candle
  2. Light a Candle
  3. Light a Candle
  4. Light a Candle
  5. Light a Candle
  6. Light a Candle
  7. Light a Candle
  8. Light a Candle