To view the livestream Mass of Christian Burial, please go to https://www.stmichaelschurchgf.com/

Harry J. Altendorf, 89, of Grand Forks, ND, died Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Altru hospital in Grand Forks, surrounded by his family.

On September 19, 1932, Harry was born to John and Millie (Poole) Altendorf. He grew up on a farm southeast of Grafton, ND, and graduated from Grafton High School in 1950. Harry served in the United States Army from 1954-56. He married Bernadine Denney in 1958, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla, ND and they settled in Grand Forks. Harry, along with his brother Gerald, farmed the family homestead property for many years, and during the winter months, they built custom houses in and around the Grand Forks area. Additionally, Harry was a licensed realtor working for Century 21.

Harry was an expert carpenter. He built furniture and conducted numerous projects for St. Michael's Church in Grand Forks. Harry also spent time wood carving many projects, including much-coveted pintail ducks. He built many projects for his family, including cabinets, hutches, toyboxes, bedroom furniture, and grandfather clocks. Harry loved to fish for walleyes with his sons and grandchildren; each year, he looked forward to their annual family fish camp, including a traveling trophy for the largest walleye.

Harry and his brother Gerald were very creative tinkers; in 1976, they bought a surplus military jet generator and a Volkswagen Beetle car. After removing the car engine, they used the generator to convert the Volkswagen into a functioning electric car. The engineer professors and students from UND were quite impressed and made several trips to Harry's garage to see and analyze their work.

Survivors include his wife, Bernadine; sons, Keith (Wendy Christianson) of Garrison, ND, John (Katherine Kuhens) of Moorhead, MN, Steve (Kristal Kuhl) of Fargo, ND; grandkids include Kelsey (Tyler) Olsen, Kylee (Carson) Black, Kristin, Jacob, Adam, Kyle, Karalyn, and Katelyn Altendorf, as well as three great-grandchildren; Emma, Lyla and Flynn Olsen.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 28, 2022, in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday with a 6:30 p.m. rosary service and 7:00 p.m. wake service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Friday.
Burial: In the spring at Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.
Military Honors: Accorded at the time of burial, by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.

To view the livestream Mass of Christian Burial, please go to https://www.stmichaelschurchgf.com/