Orvil Peter Gilleshammer

Orvil P. Gilleshammer, age 93 of Grafton, ND passed away Friday, June 05, 2015 at the Unity Medical Center of Grafton. Orvil Peter Gilleshammer was born January 7, 1922 in Minneapolis, MN the son of the late Peter and May (Olson) Gilleshammer. He attended rural school near Auburn. Following his education he worked on the family farm before moving to Portland, OR where he worked as a ship fitter in the shipyards. Orvil was united in marriage to Joy Anderson on August 14, 1942 in Portland, OR. Orvil enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. While on army maneuvers he was wounded and later honorably discharged. He returned to Grafton and went to work for the North Dakota State Seed Department as a potato inspector. In 1946 Orvil began farming in the St. Thomas area. He took great pride in being the first farmer in the field for spring planting. His passion for curling expanded many decades. He was a founding member of the Walsh County Curling Club and active in establishing the Grafton Curling Club in 1956 and served as its first president. As skip, he was National Runner-up in 1959 and went on to win the national title in 1960. Orvil was elected into the U.S. Curling Hall of Fame in 1992, the first North Dakotan to be given the honor. Orvil loved anything fastboats, cars, horses, snowmobiles, golf carts and tractors. Even things that came straight from the factory needed some modification. For many years Orvil and Joy enjoyed fishing on Lake of the Woods near Baudette where they had their houseboat. For over 50 years, they spent the winter months at their home in Ft. Meyers, FL where they enjoyed golfing, cooking and entertaining. He is survived by his wife, Joy, Grafton, ND; his daughters: Karen (Johnny) Thiele, St. Thomas, ND and Kay (Steve) Halverson, Fargo, ND; six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; his brother, Glenn (Loretta) Gilleshammer and sister-in-law, June Gilleshammer, both of Grafton, ND. Many nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant daughters, brother, Allen and sisters: Thelma Freedland Anderson, Gladys (Jim) Rutherford, Betty Jean (Orville) Bjerke and Joyce Pede. Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Grafton Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Monday from 4:30-7:30 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Grafton Lutheran cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton and St. Thomas American Legion Posts.