Harlan Kermit Ormbreck Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Harlan Ormbreck was born to Christian and Christine (Vesterheim) Ormbreck on March 26, 1936, in Ulen, Minnesota. He attended school there and graduated in 1954. Harlan enrolled in the Department of Architecture at NDAC, graduating in 1959. While in college, he was the drummer for various dance bands and spent summers working in Yellowstone Park. While he was an intern for Johnson and Lightowler Architects and Engineers, he had the opportunity to design the Headquarter Office Building for Western States Life Insurance. The building overlooking Island Park is now the administration building for the Fargo Public School district. Harlan attended Columbia University and received a Master of Science degree in Architecture. He returned to Fargo and joined the faculty in the Department of Architecture at NDSU. He taught architectural history and design. He also spent considerable time pursuing his life partner, Sharon Ormbreck. They were married on August 12, 1966. He was a member of the ND American Institute of Architects and served on the Board of Directors. In 1971 he decided to return to office practice and became a principal in the firm of Koehnlien, Lightowler, and Johnson. He designed the American Crystal Sugar Company Headquarters Office Building. Harlan returned to teaching in 1989 and retired in 1998. In retirement, he served on a committee to review nominations to be considered for historical preservation and on the CHI Villa Nazareth Board of Directors. With the organization of the New Horizon Band, he was able to continue to enjoy music as a percussionist. Harlan and Sharon traveled extensively. They visited most regions of the United States and Canada. The first destination after Sharon retired was Europe. The next adventure was a trip to Hong Kong and mainland China. Subsequent travel took them to Norway, Iceland, and major cities along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea. After the war in Viet Nam, a number of refugees from Cambodia and Viet Nam came to the FM area to become American citizens. They have become our family. Harlan is survived by his wife, Sharon, Cambodian daughter Kina Wong, grandchildren Alex, Katie, and Covey Wong. He was preceded in death by his brothers Clayton, Neal, and Paul Ormbreck. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the 20/20 Club at First Lutheran Church, 619 Broadway N., Fargo, ND 50102 Interment: First Lutheran Church Columbarium, Fargo, North Dakota.

Harlan Kermit Ormbreck

March 26, 1936 - May 2, 2022