Harold Edwin Karvonen was born on September 15, 1928 in New York Mills, Minnesota. His parents were the late Yalmer and Ina (Sillanpaa) Karvonen. Harold was baptized by Pastor John Haakana on April 4, 1929 at Trinity Lutheran Church and confirmed on June 13, 1943 at Apostolic Lutheran Church of New York Mills. He graduated from New York Mills High School with the class of 1946. Harold attended St. Cloud State University where he studied business and pre-mortuary science. On June 20,1947 Harold was united in marriage with Nancy Ann Lee at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wadena. Harold continued his education at the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science in June,1949. Harold and Nancy first made their home in Sebeka, where he assisted his father in Karvonen & Son Furniture Store and Funeral Home. In 1954, they moved to New York Mllls and continued  in the family business for over 50 years. In 1981, Harold expanded the furniture business to Perham. In 1992, Harold and Nancy donated the original furniture store building that later became the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. He was active in the community at Trinity Lutheran Church, Elders' Home, Ottertail-Wadena County Community Action Council, New York Mills Airport, and many other community development projects. He received his private pilot's license in 1957 and enjoyed flying his Cessna airplane. Another hobby was raising and training Arabian horses. Harold was passionate about keeping the Finnish heritage alive. He loved living in and promoting the growth of New York Mills. Harold fought with "Sisu" (Finnish for strength of will and perserverance) against carcinoid cancer for the past four years. Through his struggle, his faith in Jesus Christ was strengthened. Surrounded by his family, Harold went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 30, 2008. 

Harold is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Nancy Karvonen, of New York MIlls; four daughters: Kay (Kip) Browne of Wadena, Barb (Bill) Rice of Fargo; Bev (Pat) Bradley of Eden Prairie; Janet (Alan) Montgomery of North Oaks; three sons: John (Sandy) Karvonen of Perham; Greg (Suzi) Karvonen of New York Mills; Erik Karvonen of Phoenix, Arizona; 17 grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends. He is survived by brother, Harley, of Perham and preceded in death by his parents, Yalmer and Ina, sisters Hazel, Mrs. Elmer Boedigheimer and Helene, Mrs. Walter Jokela.