Omar LaVerne Hoveskeland

Omar Laverne Hoveskeland (78), resident of Wedgefield, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in the Advent Health Hospital in Orlando, Florida. Omar had moved to the Wedgefield community near Orlando, Florida in 2003, where he worked for Park Square Homes and founded his own landscaping/excavating company called P&L Excavating. In Wedgefield, he found a perfect place in the balmy Florida countryside to build his “forever home” for he and his long-time wife, Paulette Hoveskeland. 

Omar was born on April 25, 1946 in New Rockford, ND, and later graduated from New Rockford High School in 1964. He also attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, from 1965-1966. Omar was raised on a farm where, from an early age, he developed his life-long hard work ethic and home-grown love for the beauty of small-town life. Omar was gifted with natural mechanical skills and put these talents to steady good use by fixing or creating all sorts of farm equipment, trucks, cars, and pretty much anything that used oil and had an engine. Omar also loved stock cars and racing, and in his younger years, regularly raced at the West Fargo Speedway and Glyndon Speedway.

On June 17, 1967, Omar married the love of his life, Paulette Gutzmer, in Wyndmere, ND. They were married three-and-a-half short months when he was suddenly drafted into the U.S. Army, and served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War from 1967-1969. While serving as a sergeant, Omar received a National Defense service medal, Vietnam Campaign medal, Combat Infantry badge, Vietnam Service medal, and Army Commendation medal. 

In 1973, Omar and Paulette moved to a farm outside of Tolna, North Dakota, where they farmed and raised their growing family until moving back to Wahpeton, ND in 1998, and ultimately, finding a final home in Florida before retiring. During his years spent farming in Tolna, ND, Omar was a dedicated member of the local Fire Department, El Zagal’s in New Rockford, ND, and the Cattlemen’s Association committee, and was also a member of Sigdal Lutheran Church. Omar and his family also made many friends and connections every summer when he would travel to Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota to lend his hand and machinery as a custom harvester, where he worked with many other farmers. 

Omar enjoyed anything that had to do with cars, Nascar racing, camping, hunting, and later on, riding his golf cart with he and Paulette’s faithful dog, Beamer, by his side. Omar also deeply loved country music, and his radio played his favorites nonstop at all hours of the day. He had many friends in his lifetime whom he loved visiting and having fun with. When his children were young, Omar liked to give them one recurring piece of advice: “You can never have too many friends. Don’t forget that.” 

He was right. Looking back, it is plain to see that Omar made friends easily with his social, honest, friendly, and down-to-earth nature, and almost always had someone visiting him at his kitchen table over a good cup of coffee or tea, and, of course, a well-used ashtray, which held the ashes of not only a few good smokes, but also a whole lot of laughs, conversations, and shared stories with his friends and family. 

Omar is survived by his wife of 57 years, Paulette; his three children, Ronda Hoveskeland, Jolene Hoveskeland, and Bret (Claire) Hoveskeland; three grandchildren, Alex Beeter, Nala Hoveskeland, and Esmerelda Hoveskeland (all in Orlando, FL); siblings Merrell (Vicki) Hoveskeland (Custer, SD) and LaVonne Lee (Cooperstown, ND). Omar was preceded in death by his parents, Omar S. Hoveskeland and Etta Hoveskeland. 

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Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 7:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home - East Orlando Chapel, 895 S. Goldenrod Rd, Orlando.

The family will receive friends and family from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm preceding the service at the funeral home.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims, FL.

To share your memories of Omar or to leave a special message of condolence for his family, please view and sign the guestbook below.