Tormod Groff

Tormod Groff 1928-2025

Tormod Groff, 97, Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Brinsmade, North Dakota died at home on September 26, 2025. Further arrangements are pending.

Tormod was born on August 9, 1928 in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway to Kittil Olsen Groff and Birgit Torjusdatter Sire Groff. He immigrated to this country at the age of nine months with his parents and eight brothers and sisters. They came from Hallingdal, Norway to Brinsmade in 1929.

Tormod lived and worked on the family farm until he went into the United States Army. He was Private First Class in the First Cavalry Division, Company D of the First Battalion. Tormod served in the Korean War. The 1st Cavalry Division was a cornerstone of UN forces in the Korean War, landing in July 1950 and engaging in 549 days of continuous combat. His division returned to Japan in late 1951 to serve as the Far East Command Reserve. After serving in the Korean War, Tormod went to work in Chicago. He assembled aircraft engines for the Ford Aircraft Assembly Plant. Tormod worked as a cement finisher for Salce Construction Company. Later he created his own cement finishing business, Groff Concrete. Eventually Tormod moved his family to Mesa, Arizona. He retired and has lived in Mesa ever since.

Survivors include his son, Thomas Groff, three step children, James Plourde, Marilee Plourde, Joseph Stillo, his step grandchildren Tiffany and Laura Mary Plourde .

Tormod was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl Louise Dixon, his parents, Kittil and Birgit Groff as well as his 8 siblings: Ole Groff, Gunvor Groff Morkert, Guri Groff Friestad, Anne Groff Thompson, Torjus Groff, Birgit Groff, Karen Groff Rogers, and Nikki Groff Kauffman.

Tormod enjoyed attending musical concerts. His musical tastes ranged from Bob Dylan to Willie Nelson. He loved the blues but most of all he loved country music. Tormod loved reading history, especially books about World War 2. Tormod had an incredibly inquisitive mind and loved learning about all kinds of ideas. He was also fascinated by stories involving family history with memories of Hallingdal, Norway. His list of reading material included a number of books about Norway and his Norwegian heritage.

Over these recent years, Tormod enjoyed going for lunch and visiting with his many friends. He also enjoyed handyman projects and helped friends and family with concrete work. Tormod was a truly amazing person who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.