Orland Niemeier, third-generation farmer and lifelong resident of rural Buxton, ND, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2024 at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo. He was 93.
Orland was born October 21, 1930 to George and Marie (Rendedahl) Niemeier in the farmhouse built by his grandparents and homesteaders, Henry and Clara Niemeier. He graduated from Mayville High School in 1948. Orland farmed with his father and attended college part-time at North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) in Fargo before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1952. He served in Korea as a radar specialist.
Orland returned to NDSU on the GI Bill, and there met Carol Hanson from Portland. They married on February 2, 1957. He graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture in May 1957, and worked as an Assistant County Extension Agent in Minnewauken, ND where sons Gary and Rod were born. In 1959 Orland and Carol moved home to rural Buxton to take over the Niemeier family farm, where Jim, Edie, and Julie were born. They farmed for 39 years.
Orland was dedicated to implementing modern farming practices, especially water drainage. He received the Soil Conservation Award from the North Dakota Soil Conservation Association and was named a ‘Friend of the Soil.’ Orland served on the boards of the Lake Agassiz Soil Conservation District, Union Hospital, Luther Memorial Home, Nodak Rural Electric, Buxton Co-op Elevator and the Central Valley Bean Co-op. He was a lifelong and dedicated member of Bethany Lutheran Church in rural Hatton.
In retirement, Orland and Carol traveled extensively. He enjoyed woodworking, farm improvements, caring for his trees, reading, riding his bike, and visiting. His greatest joy was spending time with friends and family at his farm, where he remained vigorous and active until the last two months of his life.
Orland is survived by his five children: Gary (Maren) Niemeier of Fargo, Rodney (Annette) Niemeier of Jamestown, Jim (Carol) Niemeier of De Pere, WI, Edie Niemeier of Lakeville, MN, and Julie Niemeier of Greensboro, NC; 16 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother George, sisters Audrey Olson and Clara Mae Turner, and his wife of 64 years, Carol.
Family is holding a visitation on Friday, Oct. 18, 6-8 PM, at Luther Memorial Home Chapel in Mayville, with funeral services Saturday, Oct. 19, 10:30 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Hatton.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to the Bethany Church Cemetery Fund, Hatton, ND 58240.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND. To sign the online guestbook, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.