Floyd G. Anderson, 86, of Bismarck, passed away on Nov. 15, 2022, in a Bismarck care center.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1:00 PM at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND with Rev. Sue Lynn White officiating. Burial will be held at the Velva City Cemetery. A livestream of the service will be available on the Oak Valley Lutheran Church website, please click here to watch the service.
Family will be receiving friends from 5:30-7:00 PM on Friday at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Floyd was born on August 27, 1936, to Alvir and Bertha (Schmidt) Anderson in Velva, ND. He attended Otis Township Country School from grades 1 – 8. After surviving bulbar polio, which left him with a speech impairment, he took correspondence courses in diesel and gas engines, turbine engines, and completed his GED. Floyd then enrolled at Minot State College in the winter of 1956, and later at North Dakota State University, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in 1963, a master’s degree in 1966 (Agricultural Economics) receiving national recognition for his thesis.
Floyd married Mary Lee Ohnstad on May 1, 1965, in Fargo, ND and they started farming and ranching with his parents in December 1965. Eventually, Floyd and Mary took over and expanded the operation in 1968 and purchased the ranch in 1981.
He was a 4-H leader for 15 years, Otis Township Supervisor, Honorary Chapter Farmer for Velva FFA, ND Angus Commercial Breeder of the year in 2001, ND Stockmen’s Association Rancher of the Year in 2004 and served on the church council at Oak Valley Lutheran Church in Velva.
By spring of 2007 they had sold their cattle and started an intensive grazing program, taking in cattle for summer/fall grazing on their land while being semi-retired. In Nov. 2018 they sold the ranch and moved to Bismarck.
Floyd is survived by his wife Mary of 57 years; daughter Julie (Paul) Fornshell, Bismarck, ND; Jason (Joylyn) Anderson, West Fargo, ND; Dallas (Beth) Anderson, Bismarck, ND; grandchildren Carly and Nicole Fornshell; Connor, Michaela and Carter Anderson; Kirna and Kylah Anderson. He is also survived by his brother Warren (Lois), Bowman, ND; sister Ruth, Billings, MT; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Alvir and Bertha Anderson, brother Wallace and sister Velma.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oak Valley Lutheran Church Roof Fund (400 Main St N. Velva, ND), Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch (PO Box 5007, Minot, ND) or organization of choice.