Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2026 at the church, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

Harlan Leonard Hilleson was born March 21, 1946, in Britton, South Dakota, to Leonard and Elsie (Fisher) Hilleson. He grew up on the family farm near Veblen and graduated high school in 1964. At a young age, the values of hard work, responsibility, family, and community became the foundation for the life he would lead.

Harlan attended South Dakota State University and graduated in 1969. While at SDSU, he met Rosetta Ahlers, and the two were married September 2, 1967, in Brookings. Following college, Harlan joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Pensacola, Florida. A few years later, he received a hardship discharge and returned home to manage the family farm. It was there that Harlan and Rose raised their five daughters and built a lifetime of memories.

The farm became much more than Harlan’s livelihood. It was home. It was where he and Rose raised their five daughters - Tanya, Misty, Chaundra, Darci, and Lori - and where countless family memories were made. Harlan continued farming until 2023, closing a chapter that had shaped nearly his entire life. But Harlan was never one to wear just one hat. While continuing to farm, he began working for the Marshall County Healthcare System in 1995 and served for more than 20 years as an EMT with the Marshall County Ambulance Service. Harlan truly loved his years at the hospital, especially the people. The people and relationships kept him taking ambulance calls even after retiring from the hospital in 2016.

Harlan was deeply involved in his community, serving as a charter member of the Veblen Jaycees, treasurer of the McKinley Township Board, sexton of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, and a life member of American Legion Post #76. He was also active in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and numerous local organizations.

One of Harlan’s greatest passions was teaching young people. In 1982, he developed and led the Daisy BB Gun and shooting education program through the Veblen Jaycees, mentoring generations of youth for more than 42 years. He taught not only marksmanship, but also firearm safety, responsibility, discipline, sportsmanship, and respect. Among his proudest memories was taking his first team to the International Match in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1991 and celebrating first place at the National Match in Rogers, Arkansas in 2010. His dedication earned numerous honors, including induction into the Daisy National Hall of Fame in 2025. What mattered most to Harlan was not the recognition, but the kids. As he often said, “There is nothing more satisfying than the excitement of an eight-yearold wanting to learn gun safety and how to properly use a gun.”

In his spare time, Harlan enjoyed spending time with his family and dogs, reading, watching Westerns, hunting, target shooting, fishing, and sharing his wisdom with family and friends at every opportunity. Harlan spent the final years of his life thriving at what his family lovingly referred to as the “all-inclusive Estelline Nursing and Care Center Resort.” Whether playing bingo, visiting, watching SDSU or his grandkid’s sporting events online, being outdoors, talking to the fish, or giving treats to every dog that walked by his room, he found joy in simple pleasures. When Harlan moved to the nursing home, Rose relocated to Estelline so they could stay close. After nearly 60 years of marriage, they remained devoted to one another through all of life’s seasons.

Harlan’s influence will live on through his family, the community he served so faithfully, and the generations of young people he mentored along the way.

Harlan passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Estelline Care Center in Estelline, SD at the age of 80.

Harlan is survived by his wife, Rose; daughters Tanya (Mike) Clark, Misty (Ryan) Zilla, Chaundra (Geoff) Gayne, Darci (Glenn) IntVeld, and Lori (Shane) Braaten; 15 grandchildren; one greatgrandchild; and his sister, Judy (Keith) Guy.

Memorials can be directed to Marshall County Healthcare Center, Marshall County Ambulance, Veblen Fire Department, and the Veblen American Legion Post #76.

A full obituary and online guestbook are available at www.olsonfuneralchapel.com