Thorvald Rolfsness, 93, of Bowman, ND, died on Friday, April 1, 2011, at the Southwest Healthcare Hospital in Bowman. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Galen Strand and Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery.

Thorvald was born March 5, 1918, to Norwegian immigrants Jens and Martha Rolfsness in Rhame, ND, one of a family of four sisters and six brothers. Thorvald was raised on a farm near Rhame, attended Atkinson Country School and Rhame High School where he lettered in track and graduated in 1936.

Thorvald began his farming and ranching operations in 1934. On May 3, 1941, he married Sophia Rosling at the American Lutheran Church in Baker, MT. They resided on the farm 1 ½ miles east of Rhame where they raised their three children, Beverly, Kenneth and Linda. After retiring, the couple spent several years enjoying trips around the US and Canada in their motorhome before buying a home in Bowman in 1984. After Sophia entered SW Healthcare Long Term Care, Thorvald sold their home and moved to Sunrise Village in July 2006.

Thorvald was a man of integrity with a strong work ethic and always quick to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed traveling, reading Louis L'Amour novels, playing whist and pinochle, and working jigsaw puzzles.

He is survived by his three children, Beverly Rolfsness of Denver, CO; Kenneth (Carol) Rolfsness of Cheyenne, WY; and Linda Martin of Bowman; three grandchildren, Kevin (Lori) Martin of Grand Forks, ND; Tania (Robert) Taylor of Superior, CO; and Scott (Jennifer) Rolfsness of Glen Burnie, MD; eleven great-grandchildren; one sister Murl (Wayne) Gamble, Hemet, CA; one brother Oscar (Lillian) Rolfsness, Bowman; one cousin Martin Rolfsnes, Bowman; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sophia; his parents, Jens and Martha; brothers Clarence, Orvin, Ingvald, and Melvin; and sisters Bergit Larson, Nellie Knutson and Mildred Riggs.