Harlan Severson passed away at the Fort Meade Veterans Facility, Sturgis, S.D., on Sept. 20, 2008, as a resident there for over a year. Harlan was born in Chester, S.D., on Feb. 2, 1924, to his parents Jacob and Martina (Nali) Severson. Harlans love for music began in Chester with a trumpet, which later became an advantage while serving in World War II. Recently, he wrote of his war memories and published them in a chapbook. After the War, he played double bass in the Pat Baughman Band, which played swing throughout the region. He was a jazz aficionado for life. He married Mary Tommeraasen on June 10, 1947. They had been high school classmates and were married for 61 years. She resides at Westhills Village in Rapid City, S.D. Harlan began his career as editor of the Madison Daily Leader, S.D. He worked at East River Electric Power Co-op for many years, and then was editor of the Mandan Morning Pioneer (N.D.) for one year before moving to Washington, D.C., where he worked for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. He was appointed by President Carter to assist his lifelong friend who was Governor of the Rural Electric Administration, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. He wrote a few books about the rural electric movement, both local and national in scope. His book, The Next Best Thing, commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of REA and is still in general use. His children are Scott and Charma LeEdmonds, Silver Springs, Md.; Lynn Severson, Bismarck, N.D.; Jeff Severson and Sally Swan, Arlington, Va.; and Jody and Trudy Severson, Rapid City, S.D. Their son Ted Severson is his only grandson. Like his grandfather, Ted plays double bass and has recently begun a career in political communication. Harlan is survived by his brothers-in-law Wesley Tommerassen, Madison, S.D.; and Stanley Evans, Broomfield, Colo.; and his nieces Kay and Jerry Murray, Broomfield, Colo. and Ann Rinden, Barumph, Nevada. His sisters Marion and Louise preceded him in death. There has been a private family service. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Chester High School Band Fund, PO Box 159, Chester, SD, 57016.