Harold Hadeen

Harold Hadeen went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 1, 2024, just 13 days before his 88th birthday.

Harold was born on Feb. 14, 1936 to Herman Joshua Hadeen and Hazel Dickinson Hadeen on his grandfather's homestead during a blizzard. He was the second of four children: Ruby Frances, Harold Herman, Ronald Eugene and Doyle Dale. Harold's grandfather Gustaf A. Hadeen and his brother Sven immigrated from Sweden in 1878 to their sister (Kristina) home in Illinois. Later settled in Sumner, Neb. to be closer to other family members. Gustaf married Anna Josefina Mattson in Sumner in 1892. They had six children: Hannah, Caleb, June, Marie, Herman, and Sadie. Late in 1909 Gustaf moved his family to Colorado by train in search of better farmland. He purchased 320 acres of level land south of Sedgwick in the Fairfield community. Gustaf built a home which was an impressive two-story frame structure where he raised his family until each one married. The family faithfully attended Fairfield Covenant Church and the children attended Fairfield School. When Herman married Hazel in 1934, they purchased his father's homestead after the death of his mother Anna. Gustaf and Herman farmed together for many years starting the generational legacy of Hadeen sons farming alongside their fathers. One of Harold's fondest memories as a child was sneaking up to find his grandfather sitting in a chair praying in Swedish or reading his Bible. Gustaf would scoop Harold up and set him on his knee and go right on praying.

Hard work was no stranger to Harold as the family worked side by side through the years planting, harvesting, milking cows and raising chickens together. You could often find Harold and his brother Ron stirring up trouble and kicking up dust in their 1955 Ford where he found his love for cars. However, if you asked their mother, she would say they didn't do that. He attended Fairfield grade school and later graduated with the Class of 1954 at Haxtun High School, meeting the love of his life Astrid Victoria Franson along the way. Upon graduation Harold enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves as an airplane mechanic. In 1956 he went into active duty aboard the USS Hancock patrolling in the oceans around Hawaii, Taiwan, and the far east, disembarking in San Diego, Calif. He walked off the ship Oct. 2 with his hand sewn silk lined wool suit that he had purchased in Japan heading home to wed his Sweetheart Astrid Victoria on Oct. 25, 1958.

Harold and Vickie set out to establish their first home at the Franson homestead. He put his skills to the test by installing the home's first indoor bathroom before the arrival of his three Children Ruth Ann, Mary Lynn and Steven Harold. Harold was excited to continue his passion for farming after inheriting Bernard Franson and John Sandquist farm ground and working alongside his parents Herman and Hazel. The first tractor he ever bought was a John Deere 730 Deisel. In 1968 he became one of the earliest irrigation farmers hiring Jim Carper founder of Carper Earthmoving to prepare the ground for flood irrigation, not knowing they would one day become relatives. In 1972 with their growing children Harold and Vickie found the opportunity to purchase the Lee Eckman property and a larger home. Harold expanded his finishing hog operation with the help of Stormy (Lori) Baker, his long-time hired hand and trusted friend. Stormy ran the 750 head hog operation and farm when Harold and Vickie had the opportunity to share their heritage with their children on a trip of a lifetime to Sweden.

Harold enjoyed many years of teaming up with his brother Ron during the long harvest hours harvesting around Fairfield and Lodgepole, Neb. This is where their sons Steven and Wayne carried on their mischievous behavior on the family farms. Harold cultivated a mutual love and respect for farming and livestock by establishing Hadeen Partnership with his son Steven in 1987.

Harold was a devote Christian and spent many hours praying over his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren naming them one by one. Harold and Vickie were prayer warriors of the Fairfield community, often time receiving a phone call and immediately praying for someone's needs. Harold was especially thrilled to talk about their trip to the Holy Land and getting baptized in the Jordan River. Harold was a member of the Fairfield Covenant Church board, Northeast Gideons, Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship, West Phillips County Cemetery Board and Farm Bureau for many years.

In 1997 Harold and the love of his life moved to their mint green dream home in Haxtun but his heart never left the farm driving out frequently to check it out and desiring to help wherever he could. Harold and Vickie spent many hours traveling to see their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren supporting all their activities and events. Harold had many hobbies and passions woodworking, traveling, gardening, with his specialty being his many rose bushes picking Vickie fresh cut roses for a table centerpiece all summer long.

Harold was a faithful and loving husband passionate about caring for Vickie in her declining health. In June of 2022 they moved to Carriage House Assisted Living in Holyoke where he was able to provide his wife with the best care possible. Harold enjoyed many activities including carrying on his love for gardening by growing tomatoes for the whole facility. Harold and Vickie always enjoyed the interactions they had with all the staff and residents thanking God for the care they received every day. The family of Harold and Vickie Hadeen are grateful for the extraordinary care and love they received from the entire staff of Regent Park and Carriage House.

Those left with memories of his love are his children Ruth Ann and husband Robin Engel, Mary Lynn and husband Greg Ditter and Steven and wife Christine Hadeen; grandchildren Dominick and wife Christina Collier, Chelsea and husband Corey Koberstein, Shane and wife Leslie Ditter, Tara and husband Matt Fisher, Micah Ditter and fiancé Samantha Hernandez, Kimber and husband Trent Mason, Elizabeth and husband Doug Carper, MegAnn and husband Blake Mari and Kristopher Hadeen and fiancé Rebecca Brom; great grandchildren; MaKenna, Daisy and Abigail Collier, Ava, Farrah and Genevieve Koberstein, Brady and wife Nina Gettman, Jesse, Desirae and Kolt Ditter, Alexia, Maddison and Logan Fisher, Krista and Hailey Ditter as well as baby Mason arriving in July 2024 and baby Mari arriving August 2024; sister Ruby Colclasure; nieces Diane Hadeen and Lori and husband Rob Favero; nephews Ron and wife Cheryl Colclasure, Wayne Hadeen and Troy Hadeen; and numerous cousins, neighbors and friends as well their dear exchange student from Sweden Mike and wife Christine Kautsky and family Lydia, Myles and Gavin.

Harold is preceded in death by his wife Vickie; parents Herman and Hazel Hadeen; in-laws Linnea, Bernard and Mae Franson; brothers Doyle Hadeen and Ron Hadeen; brother in- law John Colclasure; sister-in-law Bernice Hadeen and nephew Dwain Hadeen.

A celebration of his life was held at Fairfield Covenant Church on Feb. 7 with interment following at the Fairfield Cemetery. Memorials can be made in Harold's name to Fairfield Covenant Church for a commemorative granite stone marker at 17610 County Road 40, Haxtun, CO 80731.