Paul Gordon Gjermundson, 82, passed away surrounded by family and loved ones November 8, 2025 at Benedictine Living Community in Dickinson. A Celebration of Life will be held in May 2026 with Inurnment at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
Born on March 7, 1943 in Marshall, Paul lived a life marked by service, craftsmanship, humor, and an unwavering sense of pride in his Norwegian heritage.
Paul graduated from Taylor High School in 1961. His dedication to improving rural communities began with his work installing telephone service through Consolidated Telephone Company. At the age of 56, he earned a BS in Animal and Range Science from NDSU and continued that service as a County Extension Agent in New Town. He was also a long-term member of the Sons of Norway and the Richardton Saddle Club.
A proud U.S. Navy Veteran, Paul served from 1962–1966 as an Aircraft Structure Mechanic for Attack Squadron 22, the “Fighting Redcocks.” In 1963, while training at Naval Air Station Millington near Memphis, he met a young Elvis Presley and got his autograph – one of the many stories he carried and retold with trademark sparkle and wit. His service also took him to two tours in Vietnam aboard the USS Midway during which he collected memories he recalled in sharp detail throughout his full life.
A true cowboy at heart, Paul loved all things rodeo and was a well-respected rodeo judge. A supporter of competitive cowboys and cowgirls, from local youth to World Champions, he was highly skilled at memorizing and quoting his favorite PRCA statistics. Paul also sang and played guitar, and he prolifically crafted beautiful handmade leatherwork. He was also a tenacious “pocket gopher trapper for hire,” a title he wore with more pride than most people wear degrees. Later in life, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by traveling to Norway—a journey that connected him to the homeland that shaped so much of his identity.
Paul’s greatest joy, however, was family. He is survived by three children born of his 1969 union with Sherry Svihl, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild (plus one on the way): Aaron Gjermundson (Lisa Pavlicek) of Taylor, (Andrew, Kristina, Eva, Mina); Amy (John) Estrada of North Platte, NE (Kaden, Ashtyn); Apryl (Matt) Welch of Sterling, CO; (Brenna, Bray, Brylee); great-grandchildren, Rayna, (and Cassius on the way).
He is also survived by his siblings, Sylvia (Bill) Wendland of Dickinson; June (Marlin) Rambousek of South Heart; Stanley Gjermundson of Marshall; Robert (Eileen) Gjermundson of Taylor; and Larry Gjermundson of Taylor; plus 19 nieces and nephews that brought him consistent joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sven and Eva Gjermundson; sisters, Clara Paulson and Olga Lingle; brothers-in-law, Ingvald Paulson, Clarence Hansen, and Evan Lingle; sister-in-law Sharon Gjermundson; and niece Lynn Gjermundson Hall.
The family is profoundly grateful to the team at Benedictine Living Community, whom he admired and who cared for him for five years with patience, humor, and dedication even as he kept them on their toes.
Paul was a veteran, a cowboy, a storyteller, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a brother, and a proud descendent of Scandinavian immigrants. He will be remembered for his craftsman’s hands and his deep love for the people, places and things that shaped him. His humor will be remembered, and his stories will be retold. Although his absence will be felt deeply, his memory will continue to anchor the people who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Home on the Range, Sentinel Butte. Paul had a great love for this therapeutic working ranch that provids care for 12–17-year-old youth. He found immense joy in the great contestants who came from all over the nation during the yearly rodeos.
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Home On The Range
16351 I-94
Sentinel Butte, ND 58654
