OLAF (SHERMAN) RORVIG

Olaf “Sherman” Rorvig

Olaf “Sherman” Rorvig, son of Oscar and Lillian (Koloen) Rorvig, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Valley Senior Living on Columbia, Grand Forks.  Sherman was born on April 4, 1927, on the family farm near Binford ND. He graduated from high school in 1944 when he was 17.  He attended NDSU for about a year.  His hope to become a military pilot was prevented by color blindness.  It was a lost dream deeply felt. He served in the Army in Occupied Japan, post WWII.   Sherman married Donna Carlson on November 3, 1950. They celebrated their 72^nd anniversary this year.  When first married, they lived in California for about a year, before returning to North Dakota to run the family farm.  Sherman raised small grains and Holstein cows, selling Grade A milk.  As the third generation living on the farm, he was a good steward of the land and animals. He worked very hard and could fix or make almost anything when needed.  From 1967-1985 he served on the board of directors of the Sheyenne Valley Electric Cooperative. Sherman was a long-time member of the American Legion.  He was a licensed amateur radio operator who enjoyed communicating with people all over the world. 

Sherman was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters and their spouses Dorothy (Seymour) Bjorlie and Shirley (Mervin) Danforth. 

Sherman was survived by his wife, Donna, who passed two days after Sherman.  He is survived by his children Brad (Sue), Dawn, and Nathan (Kim); grandchildren Tara, Aaron (Sarah), Heather (Bobby Livdahl), Mara (Anthony Sommerfeld), and Katina; and eight great-grandchildren Jeremey, Gabriel, MaKiah. Sebastian, Hunter, Alexander, Harper, and Zoey. 

Dad will be greatly missed and forever loved.

The memorial service for Sherman and Donna will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Binford, Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 2:00 PM with interment at the Binford Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service.   

The family wishes to thank Valley Senior Living on Columbia in Grand Forks and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the skilled and compassionate care provided Dad and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Binford Fire Department, Trinity Lutheran Church or charity of choice.