Remembering the Life of Haldor Asbjørn Finnerud
Haldor Asbjørn Finnerud, 88, passed peacefully at his home in Tumwater, WA on March 29, 2026. Born December 12, 1937, in the municipality of Kongsberg, Norway, to Ole Finnerud and Grete (Bjerknes) Finnerud. Haldor belonged to a large family with many cousins, but he wanted to see the wider world. After high school Hal joined the Merchant Marine, sailing for 6 years and seeing much of the world prior to emigrating to the US. He then joined a fishing boat out of California where he was hired as a cook. Haldor’s mother never allowed him in her kitchen, so he didn’t know how to cook. He tried out a pot of lobscouse on the crew and was almost tossed overboard. They only wanted steak. He quickly learned how to cook steaks. Hal got off the boat in Hoquiam, WA and landed a job as a logger, wrapping coil around the logs. A dangerous job. He went to Grays Harbor Community College to have more education for a better job.
Through the years Haldor built his education and indoor job skills. On July 6, 1963, he married Claudia Pfannsmith. They had good years and one daughter, LaVonne who is precious to them. They parted but he was always Dad to LaVonne.
In the 80’s, Haldor worked as an auditor for the State of WA and purchased a house in Lacey. He always had a garden wherever he lived and loved to fish with friends. His smoked salmon was the best. In 1990, while taking the CPA exam, he met Kristina, mother of Kat and Samantha. She too was taking the exam. A strange place to begin a romance but life is strange. They married at St. Mark in Lacey WA on July 11, 1995. Haldor retired from Washington State in 2002.
Haldor Finnerud was a bright and kind soul, many of you here have gotten the chance to experience or see it. When he loved, he loved wholeheartedly. He loved gardening and worked in his own gardens and in the St. Mark Community Garden, especially when it was time to plant potatoes or enjoy the lilies. He loved to run distance races, not for the trophies but for the joy. He ran daily in Lacey around the fields of camas flowers before houses and stores were built up on Yelm Highway. He ran with a trowel so he could rescue bulbs from pending construction, always happy when he came home with another handful that he carefully placed in the garden. He loved traveling, not only back home to family in Norway but throughout the US national parks. Later trips focused on Tanzania with Safi School Project. As a founding member he assisted many students and took many safaris. His trip to the Hadzabe tribe in 2010 was most notable. Children were always drawn to Haldor. He wondered why. While walking to schools in Arusha TZ, the “How are you” children would run up Haldor, each grabbing one finger, grinning, laughing, and happy. Perhaps it was his welcoming grin and twinkle in his eye that drew them. Perhaps they just wanted to be a part of him. At St. Mark Church Haldor was known by everyone for his hugs. I think the reason why is the same.
Haldor leaves behind his brothers Gunnar Finnerud of Kongsberg Norway, and Kjell Finnerud of Skårer Norway; spouse, Kristina Tamm-Finnerud of Tumwater, WA, prior spouse, Claudia Graham of Des Moines WA, daughter LaVonne Finnerud of Rexford, MT, daughters Kat Tompkins and Samantha Tompkins and two grandchildren: Akuma Finnerud and Logan Lucca.