Jeffrey Duane Tharaldson was born on March 17, 1969, in Devils Lake, ND, to Duane Russell and Sandra Kay (Klein) Tharaldson. In 1970, the family moved to Deer River, MN, where he grew up camping, snowmobiling, dirt biking, hunting, fishing, and enjoying any sports outside. He also spent hours shooting pool with friends in their basement and helping out on the small family farm. He attended school in Deer River where he played basketball, baseball, and Legion baseball, graduating in 1987.
That following December, Jeff decided to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Police Officer. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, for two years, but also served short tours in Australia, Guam, and Korea. He was one of the few to choose Grand Forks Air Force Base to finish out his military career so he could get back home to Char. He was honorably discharged from the USAF in 1991.
During high school, he met Charlene (Char) Moen, and they embarked on a long-distance relationship while he was overseas in the Air Force, eventually tying the knot on October 17, 1992, in Deer River, MN. They started out their married life while Jeff worked in the hotel industry in Fargo. Not being afraid of hard work, he also worked construction as a second job with his uncle Rod, building homes.
Jeff always had the desire to pursue a career in law enforcement, so at the age of 29, he enrolled in the Law Enforcement program at Hibbing Community College. Jeff graduated with an A.A.S. in Law Enforcement in 2000. However, 20 days before graduation, he was diagnosed with Leukemia. For the next year and a half, he endured treatments, a bone marrow transplant, and recovery before being able to start his law enforcement career, which allowed him the chance to raise his son over the next 26 years.
In the summer of 2001, Jeff began working part-time for the Dilworth Police Department. In January of 2003, the Barnesville School District was looking to fill the first School Resource Officer position in Clay County, and that was the start of Jeff’s 18 ½-year career in Barnesville. He visited many classrooms during his time there, beginning in kindergarten and spanning many other grades, including the 5th-grade DARE program, driver’s education, Halloween safety, and careers in law enforcement, to name a few. He patrolled the school inside and out to keep the students and staff of Barnesville Schools safe.
He enjoyed keeping his yard looking meticulous and working on various other projects around the house. Jeff was often called a “dog whisperer” and had several dogs he loved over the years. Collecting sports cards and sports memorabilia was a passion he shared with both his dad, Duane, and his son, Cole; he was always on the hunt for Kirby Puckett cards. Over the years, he helped coach youth basketball teams while Cole was growing up.
Following School District cuts, Jeff retired from the school and continued working security at Essentia Hospital in Fargo for two additional years. Eventually entering retirement, he picked up a part-time gig at the Barnesville Grocery Store helping stock the store on delivery mornings, while enjoying the camaraderie with the staff and patrons.
He is survived by his wife Char (Charlene) Tharaldson and his four-legged yellow lab, Ziva of Barnesville, MN; one son, Cole (Paige) Tharaldson & grand-dogs, Blue and Luca of West Fargo, ND; mother, Sandra Tharaldson of Deer River, MN; brother, Chad (Nissa) Tharaldson & three nephews: Grant (Emily), Kellen (Lily), and Brett Tharaldson of Bemidji, MN; mother-in-law, Sandra Schultz of Barnesville, MN; sister-in-law, Catherine Schultz of Moorhead, MN; brother-in-law, Travis Moen of Warroad, MN; and many, many friends.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Duane Tharaldson; father-in-law, Michael Moen; grandparents: Helen and Truman Tharaldson, Fred and Rose Klein; and three dogs: Jazzy, Jake, and Abby.
Jeff Tharaldson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, surrounded by his family at his home in rural Barnesville, MN, on his 57th birthday. His family and HIA Hospice had been helping care for him after he was diagnosed with an aggressive pancreatic cancer less than a month ago.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in the Barnesville High School with Rev. Ali Haugerud officiating. Visitation time will begin at 9:30 AM Saturday at the high school. Military and police honors for Jeff’s service to the community and country will be given at the service.
Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.KorsmoFuneralService.com
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