John Olaf Haaland, 59, soared "On Eagles Wings" to be with his Lord on Friday, May 1, 2015. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by his loving family following a brave and heroic 10 year battle with kidney cancer.

John was born on March 15, 1956 in Minot to Olaf and Doroles (Sullivan) Haaland. He was reared and educated in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1974. As a young adult he was employed at a local machine shop and began employment with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway after high school.

John married Lynnette Luck on March 11, 1978 at Zion Lutheran Church in Minot. They made their home in Minot where he continued his employment with BNSF Railway. He was also employed as a welder at local machine shops during layoffs from BNSF Railway. John retired from BNSF Railway in January of 2005 when he began his battle against cancer.

John was a man of many talents and was known as the guy who could fix anything. Although John came across as a tough guy, he was very compassionate and would do anything for his wife, children and grandchildren. In his free time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and restoring antique cars. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the United Transportation Union #1059.

John's loving family includes his wife of 37 years Lynnette; children: Blair (Dr. Jaime) Haaland of Minot, Brian (Heather) Haaland of Salisbury, NC and Kristy (Joel) Stugelmeyer of Bismarck; eight grandchildren: Kayleigh, Ben, Blake, Jeremiah, Ranger, Brooklyn, Eli and Brekka; mother: Doroles Haaland of Minot; sisters: Jane (Craig) Nelson of Minot, Julie (Ron) Johnson of San Diego CA and Joan (Paul) Paddock of McMinnville OR; father- and mother-in-law: Ben and Lillian Luck of Minot; in-laws: Glenn (Joyce) Luck of Minot, Linda (Dave) Dammen of Minot, Greg (LuAnne) Luck of Springfield MO, Roger (Becky) Luck of Minot and Jody (Sherri) Luck of MInot and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his father, former Sheriff Olaf Haaland and several aunts and uncles.

Celebration of the Life of John Haaland: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the family.

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