Kolbjorn Rommesmo, 95, of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully with family at his side at St. Catherine's North, on January 31, 2026.

He was born June 21, 1930 in Orkanger, Norway to Ole and Anne (Sletne) Rommesmo. Throughout his youth, he stayed active playing soccer, downhill skiing, and ski jumping. One memory he loved to share was how he rode his bicycle from Orkanger through the mountainous terrain all the way to Oslo, a distance of around 300 miles one way, just to play in a soccer tournament. Kolbjorn married Solvi Thorsø in December 1953 in Orkanger. During this time, while in Sweden pursuing an electrical engineering degree, Kolbjorn and Solvi welcomed their first son, Roar, followed by their second son, Paul.

After graduating university in Sweden, he and his family emigrated to the United States in 1956. He began his long and successful career as President and General Manager at Fargo Tank & Steel. Kolbjorn and Solvi built a life full of lasting memories. He enjoyed golfing and played countless rounds locally. He would also take trips to Myrtle Beach with friends to get an early start on the season. During one summer trip to Norway, Kolbjorn, Solvi, and Paul secured a midnight tee time at the Tromsø Golf Club, the world's northernmost 18-hole golf course.

Many summers were spent at their cabin on Lake Lida. He loved to take his grandchildren boating, tubing, skiing, playing badminton, and letting his inner child shine while creating unforgettable memories for his grandchildren.

Following retirement, he and Solvi spent their summers at their cabin near Orkanger, Norway. He loved the mountains and enjoyed hiking. He would pick cloudberries, lingonberries, and blueberries galore which he would then share with family and friends. He and Solvi enjoyed hosting family and friends, providing all with wonderful traditional Norwegian fare and experiences. He also got a kick out of bribing people to jump into the ice-cold water of the mountain river running in front of their cabin.

Despite all of the amazing travels and experiences he had, he enjoyed the simplicity of sitting and gazing at the beautiful views around him.

It's fitting to say that Kolbjorn was a great man. In Solvi's words, when someone passes away, one tends to remember the good and forget the bad. But with Kolbjorn, he didn't have anything bad to forget. All we got was the good.

He is survived by his wife, Solvi; sons, Roar (Joni) Rommesmo, and Paul (Colleen) Rommesmo; grandchildren, Roar Michael (Sarah) Rommesmo, Bjorn Rommesmo (Brittany), David (Liz) Rommesmo, Emily (Tony) Murch, and Sarah Rommesmo (Jeff Spencer); great-grandchildren, Karsten & Thea Rommesmo, Elijah Rommesmo, and Finley & Millie Spencer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Helge & Synnove Rommesmo.

There will be no service. A family gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HIA Hospice. Kolbjorn's family extends a heartfelt thank you for the kind and caring staff provided by HIA Hospice and St. Catherine's North.