Floyd Gemmill

Floyd Gemmill, age 91 of Fordville, ND, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2017 at Country Estates Valley Square in Grand Forks.


Floyd Gemmill was born April 11, 1925 in Edinburg, ND to the late Herbert W. and Opal (Jensen) Gemmill. He graduated from Edinburg High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and was the only person from North Dakota to serve on the U.S.S. Grand Forks. He served from 1943 to 1946. He was united in marriage to Irma Haug on October 19, 1952 at Odahlen Church, rural Edinburg. The couple moved to Fordville in 1954 where they farmed. In 1975, Floyd, along with sons Rick and Keith, established Gemmill Homes, which has built many custom homes around the country. The business continues today and is operated by his grandsons.

Floyd was a member of the Fordville Lutheran Church where he served on the board. He also served on the Fordville School Board, the Medford Township Board, and the Park River Bible Camp Board. The four things that Floyd loved most were his family, his farm, his beef cattle, and his construction business. He spent several winters curling in many bonspiels. Floyd and Irma spent their winters traveling throughout the United States and spent 15 years in Mesa, Arizona. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Irma; children Rick (Janet) Gemmill, Fordville, ND; Jim (Karen) Gemmill, Deephaven, MN; Keith (Julie) Gemmill, Fordville, ND; Kathy (Jon) Bloom, New Albany, IN; Jane (Randy) Riesberg, Elk River, MN; grandchildren Laura (Jeff) Brodina, Joe (Jen) Gemmill, Matthew (Betty) Gemmill, Clint (Abby) Gemmill, Ross (Jessi) Gemmill, Mike (Jen) Gemmill, Tommy (Shannon) Gemmill, Andy (Alexa) Gemmill, Beth (Jeremy) Sumners, Kara, Chrissy, and David Bloom, and Andrea and Eric Riesberg; 2 step grandsons, Eric and Matthew Becker; 15 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way and 1 step great granddaughter; and siblings Dale Gemmill, Gene Gemmill, and Helen (Harold) Sundvor, all of Edinburg, ND.

He was preceded in death by his pa infant sister Susanna, sister Rebecca Ruud, and brothers Herbert and Gordon.


Visitation will be from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7 pm on Sunday, February 26 at Fordville Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 am, followed by the funeral at 10:30 am on Monday, February 27 at the church. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fordville in the spring. Military Honors will be accorded by the Fordville American Legion Rotnem-Abel Post 274