Harold Grommesh

Harold M. Grommesh Cherished father, brother, and husband, Harold Michael Grommesh, age 83, of Fargo, died Saturday, July 15, 2006 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo surrounded by his family. Born October 9, 1922, the son of Ralph and Eva (Radermacher) Grommesh, he was raised on a farm east of Casselton, ND. Harold graduated from Casselton High School in 1940. He attended North Dakota State University before enlisting in the armed forces during World War II, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. On March 4, 1945, he married Marvel Wichmann of Maple River, ND in Tyler, Texas. Returning home after the service, Harold worked three years as an assistant cashier at the First State Bank of Casselton prior to 38 years of service with Farm Bureau and affiliated companies. In 1950 he became involved in Farm Bureau as a county organization director and Nodak agent. For the next twelve years, he continued to serve the organization as district field representative for Nodak Mutual and as state organization director, helping to organize half of all the county Farm Bureaus in the state. The membership of North Dakota Farm Bureau also doubled during the years he served with the organization. In 1962, Harold became the assistant manager of Nodak Mutual Insurance Company. He took over the position of executive vice president and chief executive officer of Nodak Mutual Insurance Company in 1968 until his retirement in 1988. Having worked with people in the rural areas, communities, and counties, Harold was well acquainted with people throughout the state. He served as director and chairman of the board for both the North Dakota Insurance Guaranty Association and the Dakota first Trust Company. Harold also served as director of Centre, a private, non-profit rehabilitation and correctional agency, and as director for MADD. Throughout his lifetime, he also was an active member of SCORE and up until his death he participated in Kiwanis and served on the board of directors for Bonanzaville. Harold was a founding member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, teaching CCD, assisting with fundraising, and serving as a member of the finance committee. During his lifetime, Harold enjoyed his family, gardening, and golf, and was an avid Bison fan. He is survived by his wife of nearly twenty years, Geraldine (Fedje) Hagen Grommesh; son Charles (Helen) Grommesh of Fargo; daughter Nancy (Joe) Treviso of Albuquerque, NM; stepsons Bruce (Denise) Hagen of Ayr, ND, and Mark (Carla) Hagen of Hortonville, WI; stepdaughters Diane (Jeff) Nord of Wolverton, MN and Charlotte Hagen of Fargo; four grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Vern (Beatrice) Grommesh, Don (Marilyn) Grommesh, and Paul (Eileen) Grommesh; and three sisters, Sister M. Alice Grommesh, OSF, Claudette (John) Ford, and Evanne (Michael Hoyt. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marvel Wichmann Grommesh, and their infant son Gregory; his parents Ralph and Eva Grommesh; brothers Roland Grommesh and Ralph Grommesh; and sisters Mary Bydlon and Monica Johnson. Prayer Service: 7: 30 p.m Wednesday, July 19, 2006 ? Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo Visitation: 6 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and one hour before the funeral service Thursday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church Funeral: 11:00 a.m. ? Thursday, July 20, 2006 ? Holy Spirit Catholic Church Interment: Holy Cross North Catholic Cemetery, Fargo. Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND Online guestbook www.boulgerfuneralhome.com