Harlen moved from Nebraska (USA) with his wife, Mabel, and young daughter, Beulah, to take out a homestead near Tomahawk, Alberta. Their son, Lawrence, was born on the homestead which was later sold when a farm was purchased near Killam, Alberta. Another son, Irvin, was born on that farm but died from pneumonia in his teen years. In the early 1930's, the local Baptist pastor brought out a visiting evangelist and invited them to attend services. Both Harlen and Mabel were saved at those meetings. Lawrence told the story about having been away visiting cousins and coming back after that had happened. Both he and his dad were working on the binder and Harlen remarked about the change, "When I hit my thumb with the hammer, you won't hear me swear anymore." They became faithful members of the Killam Baptist Church and enjoyed their young granddaughter, Pat. He retired early to White Rock, BC in the late 1940's due to his wife's health. Harlen made new friends and enjoyed fishing, but he passed away in White Rock General Hospital from a heart attack.

Harlen moved from Nebraska (USA) with his wife, Mabel, and young daughter, Beulah, to take out a homestead near Tomahawk, Alberta. Their son, Lawrence, was born on the homestead which was later sold when a farm was purchased near Killam, Alberta. Another son, Irvin, was born on that farm but died from pneumonia in his teen years. In the early 1930's, the local Baptist pastor brought out a visiting evangelist and invited them to attend services. Both Harlen and Mabel were saved at those meetings. Lawrence told the story about having been away visiting cousins and coming back after that had happened. Both he and his dad were working on the binder and Harlen remarked about the change, "When I hit my thumb with the hammer, you won't hear me swear anymore." They became faithful members of the Killam Baptist Church and enjoyed their young granddaughter, Pat. He retired early to White Rock, BC in the late 1940's due to his wife's health. Harlen made new friends and enjoyed fishing, but he passed away in White Rock General Hospital from a heart attack.