Semon Hov, age 92, of New Rockford, ND, formerly rural McHenry, ND, died Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford.

Semon “Slim” Hov was born January 28, 1925, to Ole and Randina (Grafsgaard) Hov on their family farm in Paradise Twp of Eddy County, rural McHenry, ND. He was the 6th of 6 sons born to Ole and Randina. He attended Washington Township School through the 8th grade, and farmed the home farm with his brothers all his life. His father, an immigrant from Norway, died in 1941, and Randina passed in 1963.           

Their farm was a busy place with an assortment of animals, as well as the crops they raised. It was a wonderful place to visit and enjoy Randina’s wonderful cooking. “The Hov boys” were all happy and friendly, and there were always plenty of smiles and fun while visiting their farm. Semon was drafted into the United States Army in 1945. He did his basic training in Texas, and was then sent to Japan. The war ended that year, and Semon served as a military police officer in a prison camp in Japan.

He returned home from the military in 1946, and when he returned to New Rockford he did not know where his home was! Semon’s parents had moved while he was gone, and communications were very limited in those years. Bill Fleming, from the Warwick area, was in New Rockford and gave Semon a ride out to the new farm, known as the Aarstad Farm, to which his family had moved to while he was away.

Semon was baptized and confirmed in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in McHenry. He was a member of the American Legion Post #160 at McHenry, and served as a member of the Honor Guard. On June 2, 2016, the McHenry American Legion presented him with an award honoring him for 70 years of membership. Semon enjoyed visiting and playing cards at the McHenry Senior Citizens Center. In 2010, Semon and his brother, Arnold, sold their farm to Katie and Travis Black, and they moved into the Heritage House in New Rockford. Semon moved to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd on January 19, 2016.

Semon, a kind & gentle man, is survived by his brother Bert’s children: Bertha Hinchliff and Butch (Dee) Hov, both of Dayton, WA; Butch’s daughters and their families, Lisa Bell, Northfield, MN, Sherry Kosin, Tallahassee, FL, and Debbie (Eric) Nelson, Elko, MN; his Grafsgaard cousins, Avis Barclay, Binford, ND, Alice Olson, Fargo, ND, Gladys (Dywayne) Hoyt, McHenry, Alice Stromsodt, Cooperstown, ND, Burton Grafsgaard, International Falls, MN, E. Duane (Marlys) Mellum, Carson City, NV, Joyce Jerstad, Finley, ND, Betty (Roger) Westby, New Rockford, Myrt Morris, Scottsdale, AZ, and Harriett Myrin, Napa, CA; and many dear friends in the McHenry and New Rockford communities.

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, McHenry, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 10:30AM

BURIAL:

Bethlehem Cemetery, McHenry, ND

MILITARY HONORS:

Carl Bostrom American Legion Post #160, McHenry, John Florhaug American Legion Post #103, Kensal, and the North Dakota National Guard Honors Team