Harland Charles “Stubby” Swatfager, 91, of Fargo, N.D., died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014.

Harland Swatfager was born on Feb. 8, 1922, on a farm near Swanville, Minn. He was the second son and fourth child of six born to Charles Edward and Ida Emilie (Berndt) Swatfager. He graduated from Swanville (Swans) High School where he excelled in athletics. He was a standout basketball player despite his short stature and thereby acquired his nickname, “Stubby” — by sneaking between the legs of taller opponents to steal the ball.

After military service, Harland returned home, met and married Ida Marcella Denne on July 10, 1946, in Saint Rosa Catholic Church in Saint Rose, Minn., and moved to Fargo that same year, entering the construction industry.

Harland will be remembered and missed by the many friends and neighbors who became aware and benefitied from his large and varied annual gardens with their produce, doled out to a host of recipients including the Emergency Food Pantry. He loved to see things grow.

Swatfager is survived by his three sons, Rodney (Betty), of Garden Grove Heights, Calif.; Lawrence, of Fargo; and Randy (Chris), of Austin, Minn.; four daughters, Patricia (Paul) Haney-Swatfager, of Dallas; Connie Lunneborg, of Fargo; Rhonda (Brad) Beringer, of Apple Valley, Minn.; and Gail Meyer, of Fargo. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Harland was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one son, Dale; brother, Ervin; and sisters, Mildred, Laverne, Bernice and Burnette.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p..m, Thursday at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo. Visitation will continue from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service Friday. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home.