Howard Leroy Groven

Howard L. Groven, 77, of Portland, ND, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Stanford Hospital in Fargo. He was born to Carl and Hilma (Larson) Groven on November 1, 1938 at Union Hospital in Mayville. He farmed west of Portland with his brother Gustave. In 1962, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Hawaii. In 1967, he was honorably discharged which he obtained the rank of Corporal. He graduated from Hanson trade school in Fargo with a diploma in welding. He worked in commercial construction for seventeen years. He spent his winters racing snowmobiles which he won numerous trophies. While working on the missiles he met the love of his life Rosemary Hoffarth. They were united in marriage in 1971. He started his own Construction business in 1978. He worked with his son upon retiring in 2014. He also worked at Union Hospital for over twenty years. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved trapping and was a huge advocate towards wilderness and animal conservation. His love of trapping even inspired him to write a book. He enjoyed working, listening and playing music, reading and spending time with his family. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 44 years: Rosemary of Portland; four children: David of Portland, Becky of Moorhead, MN, Julie (Garrett) Hong of Whidbey Island, WA and JoAnna (Travis) Northington of Fargo, ND; six grandchildren: Danica (9), Draxton (8), Avalyn (4), Dagny (2), Delayna (9 months) and Otto (7 months); one brother: Gustave (Elaine) Groven of Torrance, CA. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his mother: Hilma; father: Carl; brother: George; sister: Clara; and brother-in-law: Gus. Visitation: Will be from 2–4 PM with a 4 PM Public Prayer Service on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at the Bang Lutheran Church and will resume one hour prior to the service at the Bruflat Lutheran Church. Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Monday, November 30, 2015 at the Bruflat Lutheran Church in Portland, ND. Military Honors: May~Port Honor Guard & ND Military Funeral Honors Burial: Will be at the Bang Cemetery, rural Portland, ND.