Harlan Howard Geiger

Dr. Harlan Howard Geiger, 93, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025. Dr. Geiger was born January 15, 1932, to parents Grant and Anna (Liska) Geiger in Kenmare, North Dakota. He graduated from Kenmare High School and the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts with degrees in biology and chemistry. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Subsequently, Harley received his Doctorate in Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry.

While in high school, Harlan was the third member of his family to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He later began and led Troop 244 in Fargo, North Dakota. In 1950, at the age of 18, he was a camp counselor at Lord's Highway Boys Camp in Connecticut. This camp was a philanthropy sponsored by the Duke Family Foundation for young, troubled boys.

Harley married his sweetheart, JoeAnn Margaret Johnson, on June 22, 1957. Immediately upon graduation from graduate school, he served as a lieutenant in the Air Force. Military obligations took Harley and JoeAnn to Gunter base in Montgomery, Alabama and Tinker base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They moved to Fargo in 1961.

Dr. Geiger is survived by his wife, JoeAnn, and four daughters: Louise (Greg) Jensen, Linnea (Lester) Hill, Laura (Scott) Webster and Leslie (Steve) Eggan. He is also survived by eight grandchildren - Andrea (Mike) Kramer, Travis (Casie) Jensen, Dane Jensen, Amanda (Riley) Webster, Jake Webster, Jenna Webster, Grant (Elizabeth) Eggan, and Leah (Grant) Sorenson. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren - Henry, Grayson and Luca Jensen, Weston, William and Bennett Kramer. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Glenn (Mary) Geiger and Peter (Helen) Geiger, and sister Beulah (Bob) Finn.

Dr. Geiger practiced as an optometrist in Fargo for 37 years with locations in downtown Fargo and on 13th Avenue South, as well as at a satellite location in Casselton earlier in his career. Harlan served as President of the North Dakota Optometric Association and on the State Board of Examiners in Optometry. He traveled to Medellin, Colombia with Volunteers for Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH). He was recognized as the National Contact Lens Man of the Year by Wesley Jessen of the National Optometric Association in 1967 for his work fitting athletes with gas permeable bi-focal contacts, predominantly NDSU football players.

Dr. Geiger served on the original Fargo Dome Authority from 1989-1997 and ten more years on the Building Committee. He was Chair of the Hour of Worship at Messiah Lutheran Church television ministry for 10 years. Harley sang in the church choir for 10 years and in several performances with the FM Opera. He was campaign manager for Gib Bromenschenkel's many successful races for City Commissioner as well as wife JoeAnn's campaign to serve on the Fargo School Board. He retired from golf at age 90. He was an original tennis group player at the Fargo Racquet Club when it opened and played the game for over 40 years.

The highlight of Harley's days was time spent at Pelican Lake in the summer for over 50 years with family; he also enjoyed wintering at the Landings in Fort Myers, Florida for 18 years. He enjoyed golfing, tennis, and water skiing. Persuaded by his wife, JoeAnn, he traveled to every state in the union and every Canadian province as well as 24 countries of the world. His family was most important to him.

Visitation at 10AM and memorial service at 11AM at Salem Evangelical Free Church, 1111 30th Ave S, Moorhead, MN on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Remains to be interred at Riverside Cemetery Mausoleum, Fargo, ND.

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND