​Donavon Ernest Pic (pronounced PEACH), age 84, passed away peacefully at the Lakota Good Samaritan Society on January 6, 2024.
He was born and raised at his family farm outside of Whitman, ND, by his mother, Emma, and father, Ernest Pic.  He graduated from Michigan High School and soon after joined the North Dakota National Guard.  His time was spent at Camp Grafton and later, in California at Fort Ord.  He was honorably discharged for his service to his country.  He was joined in marriage to Barbara (Flom) in 1972, where they had one daughter Carrie.  Donavon was a proud father of his step-children, Larry and Connie.  As a hardworking man, he spent many days farming, tending bar, and serving as tax assessor of Walsh County, all of which he very much enjoyed.  He ensured that his flowers, garden, and the proper yard flag, was never out of place.  He took pride in his involvement in founding Rainbow Lodge, performing under Michigan, ND American Legion, singing in the choir at Michigan Lutheran Church along with the Czech Singers, participating on Michigan Lutheran Church's council, and helping his neighbors when in need.  When he was not tending to business; he enjoyed spending time with his several grandchildren, listening to music, playing cards, and evening drives.
He is survived by his daughter, Carrie Pic-Cox; step-daughter, Connie (Kai) Vannoy; and several grandchildren, Philip, James, Jean, Rachel, Joseph, Sam, and Vance.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Pic; step-son, Larry Herald (Dec. 7, 2023); mother, Emma; father, Ernest; and several aunts and uncles.
The Funeral Service for Donavon will be held at the Michigan Lutheran Church, Michigan, ND, on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be in the spring at the WFL-Kosobud Cemetery, rural Lankin, ND.  Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND, on Friday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the WFL-Kosobud Cemetery or Michigan Lutheran Church, as was Donavon's request.
Arrangements with the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND

Harlan J. Thompson, 90, of Grafton, ND passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024, in the Lutheran Sunset Home, Grafton, ND.
Harlan Jerome Thompson was born June 14,1933 in Grafton, ND, the son of Jerome and Anna (Egeland) Thompson. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1951. After high school Harlan began farming with his father until 1956 when the US Army drafted him for service in Germany.  He resumed farming when he returned in 1958.  Harlan married Ann Larson on February 4,1961 in Grafton, ND. They made their home near Grafton and raised their children, Carol and Michael. Harlan enjoyed a successful farming career with his brother Richard. Harlan also served on many boards including; Walsh Rural Water, Associated Potato Growers, Grafton Farmers Elevator and the Grafton Community Scale.
In 1989, Harlan and Ann moved into town (Grafton, ND).  Ann and Harlan spent over thirty years as “winter Texans” in the Alamo/Harlingen Texas area, gaining many friends from all over the United States and Canada.  They enjoyed extensive travel and may have ended up at a few casinos over the years.  Harlan began making beautiful pieces of furniture in the late 1980’s and was even making pieces this past summer.  Harlan never really retired from farming, he was available to pick up parts and transport people from field to field up until a few months before he passed.
Harlan was a member of the Grafton Lutheran Church and involved in the Faith & Care ministry there.  He made wooden boxes to hold memorials for babies being baptized in the church. Harlan was a wonderful grandpa to his grandsons - Steven, Matthew, Jamie and Bryan; he enjoyed the time he spent with his two great-grandsons – Wyatt and Marshall Ebertowski.  
Harlan is survived by his daughter Carol (Duane) Ebertowski and his son Michael (Cindy) Thompson, all of Grafton; grandchildren Steven (Nicole) Ebertowski, Aurora, CO; Matthew Ebertowski, Grafton, ND; Jamie (Jasmine) Arroyo, Tacoma, WA; and Bryan (Megan Bramble) Arroyo, Boise, ID. Great-grandsons, Wyatt and Marshall Ebertowski, Aurora, CO. He is also survived by his sisters Dorothy Johnson and Judy (George) Irvin. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, on August 27, 2023; his parents; sister Clarice, brother Richard, sister-in-law Elaine Thompson, and brother-in-law Victor Johnson; brothers-in-law Francis, Roy, Dennis, Edward, Donald, Henry and Randy Larson; sisters-in-law, Joyce Mattson, Lois Chounard and Eileen Siewert.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Grafton Lutheran Church in Grafton, ND.  Visitation will be on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton.  Friends may call at the church for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Grafton Lutheran Cemetery in the spring.  Memorials in honor of Harlan may be given to the Unity Hospital Foundation, Lutheran Sunset Home or Hospice of the Red River Valley. The funeral service will be live streamed via the Grafton Lutheran Church Facebook page.