Funeral services for Willard D. Korsmo, age 75, of Reeder, ND will be held at the Ralph Lutheran Church, Ralph, SD on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Stephanie Swanson will officiate and following a time of fellowship and lunch at the church, burial with Military Honors afforded by the Johnson Melary American Legion Post #115 of Hettinger, ND will be at the Hettinger Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 13 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger and one hour prior the service at the church on Saturday morning. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home in Hettinger.

Willard was the son of Russell and Lorena (Rosenow) Korsmo. He was born on November 2, 1932 on their farm in rural Harding County. He attended Reeder Public School for first grade when his parents had a mail route and then second through sixth grade at Bjerke country school. Willard went on to attend Hettinger Public School where he graduated (in absentia) in 1951. He often spoke of all the fun he had in high school—pranks pulled and other mischievous acts. Willard was co-captain of the football team and president of his senior class.

Willard was a member of the National Guard during High School and was called to active duty during his last semester. His time in the Army was spent at Camp Rucker, AL, Newport, RI, and Fort Meade, MD. Following his Army service he attended the University of North Dakota for one semester before he began a lifelong farming career.

Although Willard planned on continuing his college education, when he returned to Harding County in 1953, he decided to become a student of Mother Nature on the family farm. Operating under the name "RW Korsmo and Son," he and his father farmed their land and had herds of cattle and sheep. The elevator they built on the farm is testimony to their ability to conquer any task. In addition to farming, he always had an interest in flying.

Following basic flight training, Willard took lessons in aerial spraying and earned his commercial pilot license in Vermillion, SD. He owned a number of different spray planes throughout his life, which he used to battle the weeds which inevitably appear in the South Dakota fields. In addition to his work on the farm, Willard was involved in many local projects and activities. He helped construct a number of buildings in Hettinger, including the Lutheran church, and operated a small trucking company for a number of years. He enjoyed playing pool and bowling during his leisure time and was a Scout leader. His love of the outdoors also contributed to his interest in guns, as he was became an avid collector.

While spending time in Hettinger, Willard met and fell in love with a young nurse named Rose Marie Haugrud. On June 11th, 1960, they were married in Rothsay, MN. Following their marriage, they lived in Hettinger. Rose worked at the hospital and Willard drove back and forth to the farm. In 1971 they moved to the farm near Ralph, SD with their daughters Lori, Juli, and Lani. Many family members and friends enjoyed wonderful holiday meals in their home- Willard was the beneficiary of his wife's exceptional cooking ability, which was also passed on to his daughters. Willard was a proud father and regularly attended school plays and sporting events. Later in life, he enjoyed visiting the kids in Alaska, Nevada, Florida, and Minnesota. Willard was intensely interested in history and the varied landscapes of the U.S. He relished the opportunity to visit different parts of the country and was always eager to strike up a conversation with the "locals." He was a student his entire life, constantly reading and seeking knowledge and was always available to help a neighbor.

Throughout the years, Willard had many hired hands on the farm. A man of great patience, he always had time to explain, demonstrate, and teach people how to do things. For those who didn't need to be "taught", a good natured argument was always welcome...

One of the endeavors Willard was proudest of was being a member of the Shriners of North America. After he joined the Masonic Lodge in Hettinger, he achieved the status of Master Mason, and became a Shriner. He enjoyed riding motorcycles in summer parades as an El Zagal Ranger. He was extremely proud of his fundraising efforts for the Shrine Hospitals and loved seeing the children at the Shrine Circuses and other events. He truly believed in helping others overcome medical challenges, and faced his own with equal determination.

After being diagnosed with two types of cancer in 1994, he studied his afflictions and augmented his medical treatments with his own nutritional regimen. His determination allowed him to outlast all predictions, amazing his doctors again and again. He spent his final days being privately cared for by his own four nurses and pharmacist – his wife, three daughters and son-in-law.

Willard D. Korsmo, 75, lifelong Harding County, SD farmer/rancher, passed away at his daughter's home near Hettinger, ND. His battle with cancer finally came to pass with his return to his Lord and Savior on June 9th, 2008.

Willard is survived by his wife, Rose Marie, of Reeder, daughters, Lori (Damon) Rogers, Rochester, MN, Juli (Brian) Johnson, Lynn Haven, FL and Lani (Mitch) Schultz, Hettinger, ND and six grandchildren, Victoria, Sarah and Samuel Johnson and Elizabeth, Carolyn, and Patrick Schultz. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Lorena Korsmo.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established by his family.