Harold Fred Wildung (Hal)

Harold (Hal) Fred Wildung of Golden Valley, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in hospice on February 18, 2025 at the age of 90 with family by his side, following a long struggle with Parkinsonism.

Hal was born in Luverne, Minnesota on May 4, 1934 to Harold Frederick Wildung and Adahlia Knodt Wildung, the youngest of their five children. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1952 and from Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1956 with degrees in music, English, and education. Later Hal received his master's degree in choral music from the MacPhail College of Music.

Hal married Twyla Van Nieuwenhuyzen on November 27, 1956. They were blessed with two daughters, Cathy and Lauri.

Family, friends, music, and arts education were the passions of Hal's life. After teaching choral music in public schools in Arizona and South Dakota for a few years, he joined the Robbinsdale School District in 1959. Hal initially taught junior high music, then became the Music Department Chair and head of vocal/choral music at Cooper High School in 1964. Hal moved to Armstrong High School in 1979 and taught vocal/choral music there until 1983. He served as Coordinator of Comprehensive Arts and Language Arts for the school district from 1984 until his retirement in 1992. Through those years, Hal championed arts education in public schools and helped instill a love of vocal music in hundreds of his students.

Hal is survived by his loving and devoted daughter Lauri; by many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces-and-nephews, who will miss him dearly; and by former students and friends, who were like family to Hal.

Hal was preceded in death by his daughter Cathy and his former wife Twyla.

A memorial service celebrating Hal's life, and music that he loved, will be held at 2 p.m. on March 29, 2025 at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 177 Glendale Drive, Long Lake, MN 55356, with the Rev. Dan Voigt officiating.