L. Orwell Holmberg

Leslie “Orwell” Holmberg was born to Oscar and Laura (Alma) Johnson Holmberg November 26, 1919, in rural Buxton, North Dakota. He grew up in the area, attending the Ervin # 1 school. Orwell was a member in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), stationed in the Seattle, WA, area and in Minnesota, prior to WWII. He married Nina (Marchildon) April 14, 1942, in East Grand Forks, MN. They farmed in the rural Cummings, ND, area, raising four children Caryl Pederson (Bryan) Grand Forks, ND; Raymon, Grand Forks, ND; Virginia Knudtson (Roger) West Fargo, ND; and Leslie (Jan), who passed away in 1972. Orwell retired from farming in 1978. Nina passed away August 9, 1978. He moved to Mesa, Arizona, where he met and married Elsie Jessup on October 16, 1986. They moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. He grew champion roses and maintained gardens for different people in the area around Grand Junction. Elsie passed away July 22, 1997. Orwell moved back to Fargo, North Dakota, in 2003. He moved into Bethany Homes at that time. Orwell is survived by his daughters, Caryl (Bryan) Pederson, Grand Forks, ND; Virginia (Roger) Knudtson, West Fargo, ND; and son, Raymon, Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Camilla Pederson, Cristina Obermann, Alexander Knudtson, Melanie Shipek, Mariah Masilko and Brady Holmberg; five great grandchildren, Jennifer and Roger Obermann, Maisie Holmberg, Alexander Masilko and Nina Shipek; brother, M. Kent Holmberg, Fargo, ND; and sister, Vivienne (Howard) Tellinghusen, Grand Junction, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Willard; and son, Leslie Randolph. Funeral Service: Tuesday, March 18, 2008, 2:00PM at Bethany Homes, Fargo, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the funeral service.