Harold Weivoda

Harold Weivoda, 72, of Grand Forks, ND, died from injuries sustained in a car accident on I-29, north of Hillsboro, ND, on Sunday morning, August 6, 2017.

Harold John was born on August 9, 1944, in Albany, MN, to Orlando Weivoda and Bernie Korte. He was raised on the farm by his grandparents, John and Dorothy Weivoda. When Harold was young, Harold’s Aunt sent him $10 to buy skates for his birthday. His grandfather suggested Harold could use his $10 to buy a pig, which would yield a profit, and if he continued to reinvest, someday he would be able to buy as many pairs of skates as he wanted. He attended a one-room schoolhouse, Catholic School, and graduated from Albany High School at age 16. Harold said you learn every day of your life if you’re doing something. He also said, always ask questions, for you can be dumb for a day or dumb for the rest of your life.

In his earlier days, Harold operated a pig farm, worked at Dairy Craft, Fargo Tank, and Sears, and operated a flour business. For a number of years he bought and repaired wrecked cars under the name, Weivoda Salvage. When hurricane Camille hit Mississippi in 1969, Harold, Orlando and Becky went to find damaged vehicles. Instead, he returned with a truckload of carpet, which formed the beginning of Weivoda Carpet in Dilworth, MN. Weivoda Carpet Girl, Inc. of Grand Forks, ND opened in 1977.

He later opened a cabinet door manufacturing facility, American Oak and Hardwoods, and sold to major cabinet companies (e.g., Medallion, Dura Supreme). After he was severely injured in a dust collection explosion in 1990, Harold decided to manufacture whole kitchens under the name, Tigerman Custom Cabinets, Inc. His thrill was in inventing and building equipment and sharing life stories with customers, some true, some not so much! Even the mascot of the store, Tesha the tiger, was, according to Harold, found in a rodent trap on the bank of the Red River. Harold was considered a master storyteller, a trait that helped him in his career as a salesman. At the time of his passing, Harold was writing his manifesto, “Tiger Tales.”

Harold was always willing to share his knowledge with those willing to learn. We as a family thank Harold for every lesson he taught us. Most important, he taught us, “You’ll never work a day in your life if you do something you love.”

He is survived by his wife, Jean; children, Randy (Sarah) Weivoda, Christopher Weivoda, Lauren Weivoda; Natalie (Kelvin) Drake, and Mark Satek; four grandsons, Alexander, Logan, Thor, and Carter; and many brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.

Harold was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Dorothy; his parents; and his beloved pet tiger, Tesha.
 

Funeral Service: Saturday, August 12, 2017, at 10:30 AM, in Bigwoods Lutheran Church, Oslo, MN.
Visitation: starting at 10:00 AM, at the church.
Interment: Bigwoods Lutheran Cemetery, Oslo.

 Service Information