Raymond E. Grommesh

Raymond Earl (Ray) was born in Fargo, ND, to George and Emma (Nelson) Grommesh on May 27, 1938. He passed away on August 5, 2024, at the Fargo VA Hospital due to renal failure.

 In the years of 1955 to 1959 Ray served in the United States Air Force. During his active-duty years, he was stationed in Texas, South Dakota, and Alaska. One of Ray’s recent (Fall of 2022) military highlights was his trip to Washington D.C. on the Veteran’s Honor Flight of ND/MN.

 Written in respectful and loving memory of Ray:

 When a person stands and reflects on the life they have lived and the roads they have traveled the conclusion is that life is not an easy path.

 Life is filled with choices, conflicts, trials, and tribulations. That is the part that teaches us to be stronger, love deeper and unconditionally and guides us to who we were meant to be.

 If I can think of a word to sum up Ray, it would be stubborn. I believe he was born to be stubborn - and he possibly passed that on to future generations.

 He left home at a young age having to make his own path and find his own way. This journey taught him independence and perseverance and led him to serve our country, with integrity, bravery, and honor.

 That stubborn persistence paved the way for him to become a farmer, a business owner, a craftsman and to work hard at whatever he did.

 Most importantly, it taught him that all roads eventually lead back to the love of family.

 Ray’s greatest pride in this world was his kids and his grandkids. He treasured every photo, card, note, phone call and memory of time spent together. They were precious to him whether spoken or not.

 Let his life serve as a reminder that wherever our road leads us in this life, our hearts will always lead us back to the love of family, that stubborn is another word for strength and that even though life is messy, unpredictable and hard at times, it should never be taken for granted.

 Let us take a moment to remember the son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend that worked hard, loved his family, served his country proudly and left a legacy of stubborn Grommesh’s to pave the way for future generations.

 Ray is survived by his three children, whom he shared with Irene Grommesh, Dean (Marlene Krause) Grommesh of Worthing, SD, Todd (Debby) Grommesh of Brandon, MN, and Dawn (Randal) Chisholm of Hawley, MN; two stepchildren, Mike Hogen of South Dakota, and Marby (Loren) Kopseng of Bismarck, ND; eight grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley) Grommesh, of Ashby, MN, Brianna (Nate) Schjei of Fargo, ND, Sara (Danny) Kriefall of West Fargo, ND, Alex (Gabby Thibert) Lambert of Moorhead, MN, Grace (Colton) Timmer of Jackson, MN, Anna (Kolbe) Bach of Minot, ND, and Sophie (David Moreno) Martin of Benson, MN; nine step-grandchildren, Lisa (Monte) Brown of Clear Lake, SD, Cody (Tracie) Krause of Clear Lake, SD, Brandi Krause of Watertown, SD, Candi (Mike) Vojtisek of Dilworth, MN, Alexander (Kristen) Chisholm of Stevens Point, WI, Aaron (Emily Borah) Chisholm of Sabin, MN, Ryan Chisholm of Fort Liberty, NC, Tiffany Hogen of South Dakota, and Ben (Cecilia) Hogen of Rochester, MN; along with eighteen great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Emma; six sisters and three brothers, Ruth Knobel, Katheryn Liebold, Edna Thompson, Elaine Schafer, Dorothy McBride, Janette Fiebelkorn, James, Herbert, and Michael; and a granddaughter, Hope Grommesh.

 In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Veteran’s Honor Flight of ND/MN. https://veteranshonorflightofndmn.org/memorial-donation.

A Memorial Service for Ray will be held Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 2PM in Bakke Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes.  Visitation will be one hour prior. 

Interment will be in Fargo National VA Cemetery, Harwood, ND on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 9 AM.  All are welcome to attend.