Obituary: Haftor A. Gjerde, 80

Haftor Andrew Gjerde was born February 12, 1945, to Andrew and Catherine Gjerde, in Long Beach CA. His father, Andrew, was serving in the Army in Victorville at the time.

After the war ended they moved to Seattle, until Haftor was 3. They then moved back to Petersburg to stay in their ancestral home on North Nordic, with his grandmother Anna.

Haftor started fishing. First in a skiff for salmon, then at 12 he started as a longliner on the family boat F/V Midway, fishing for Blackcod and Halibut, eventually he bought his own boat F/V Lucky Lux to handtroll salmon.

Eventually he came to work for the city as a Harbor Officer, where he worked until he retired.

Haftor loved music. He volunteered at KFSK playing different genres of Old-time Country, Blues and Rock & Roll. One of his most fun memories was hosting with Lars Christensen during May Fest. They had a blast and raised quite a bit for the radio.

He loved to dance and could be found after work at Kito's or The Beachcomber dancing the "Bear dance".

In 1998, Susan Churchill came in to his life. Susan arrived in Petersburg because of the oil spill in Prince William Sound. They met in Kito's Kave, and danced. They started dating in October and married January 1, 1990 in the second story of the Harbor Office. After the wedding, they went to Kito's Kave. Haftor and Susan along with Andrew and Catherine danced every dance until closing.

They lived in the family home for about 2 years, then on the F/V Midway for about 2 1/2 years, then Haftor's cousin, Halvor, needed assistance and they moved in with him. They stayed at the "Gjerde brother's" home the majority of their married life. In the end though they were at the Narrows. Where Haftor had alot of friends. One in particular was Tim Taylor, who helped Haftor alot when Susan wasn't able to.

While they tried to have children, they weren't able to have human. But they were reknowned for having many of animal children. Dogs, cats, rabbits, gennypigs, birds, lizards, fish and goats. Some have even graced the front page of the Pilot a few times.

Two years ago, Susan's health problems became significantly worse and she needed to go to Anchorage. Haftor and her talked every night, always saying "I love you, I miss you." before ending call.

Haftor is survived by his wife Susan, his nephew Patrick Schouweiler and his amazing family, and of course their last pup Fergie.

Haftor will be laid to rest in the Petersburg Memorial Cemetery. Where all but two of his family rest.

Haftor's funeral will be held at the Lighthouse Assembly Of God on November 1, at 1:00 pm. There will be a graveside after that.

Everyone who has memories and stories of Haftor, in asked to come to the church and remember his life. He had a long life and made alot of memories, let us all enjoy them one more time.