Way back in the early 1900s, the place was known as Gunderson Farm. Northwood was in its beginnings as settlers claimed their land and worked hard towards progress. The Gundersons sent tickets to Judy Kormo’s grandfather, Hans Hanson, in 1910 to be the hired man.
The farmland was then owned by Perdin Halvorson when the Korsmo brothers purchased it. Judy thought she might be living in an abandoned farmhouse, but over time, it became her dream house with many updates. Each step was creating a space they would call home. The house was decorated with a sense of coziness, faith, and love.
Paul and Judy’s children, Melanie and John, enjoyed the country place. Many hours were spent chasing cousins and playing with friends. As the years rolled by and the children grew up, I imagine this home grieving just a little.
A new generation of little hearts enjoyed “Grandma Camp”. Grandma was sure to have had many wonderful activities because she was a schoolteacher. The grandkids anxiously waited for Grandpa to pick them up from the fields to learn how to drive the tractor.
This big home welcomed ladies for Bible Study. Many cups of coffee were enjoyed with fellowship over a good meal. They would take their turn with the other Korsmo families to host Christmas. There were, at one time, 67 family members celebrating Christmas together.
Paul and Judy, along with the other Korsmo family members, have been farming for over 50 years. They have held businesses in our community, such as the Korsmo Implement Inc., NAPA, and Korsmo Trucking. Judy was a beloved teacher in Grand Forks public schools and the Community Bible Sunday School over the years.
Everyone in life goes through similar changing seasons in their years on this earth. Judy shared, “This has been a summer of reflection. Sitting on the balcony or patio, going through 40 years of stuff. It is the memories that float to the top, not the stuff.”
They have been considering the move for a while. Of course, the kids have families of their own, and even the grandchildren are getting older. It is harder to gather here in Northwood. The time had come to say goodbye to a home that held so much love. It was time for this old treasure to shelter another young family. It is time for this farmstead, which has stood the test of time, to be known by another name in the history of Northwood.
By the end of September, this house will welcome a different person and a future family. Paul had shared, “We prayed that someone would buy the place and take good care of it. He hoped this home would continue to be a place of family & friends.” Colter Lloyd will be the new owner. May the “Lloyd” farm carry on the tradition of family, love, and friendship to a new generation.
As Paul and Judy take a last stroll down the gravel driveway in the peaceful countryside, you can’t help but think of the lyric from Miranda Lambert’s song The House that Built Me, “I won’t take nothin’ but a memory, from the house that built me”.
Paul and Judy shared that Northwood will always be “home” and there will be plenty of visits. We wish you much happiness in the new adventures in life. You will be missed.
