Ed & Pat Shorma

Ed & Pat Shorma have a long history in Richland County of North Dakota.  Leading through their life as entrepreneurs, it’s only fitting they be named the NDSCS Parade Grand Marshals, in the community they love so dearly. 

Ed & Pat met at a dance at the ages of 17 & 15, while Ed was home on leave from the Air Force.  After being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1951, he returned to his family farm near Wyndmere, ND and picked up where he left off, helping his father on the farm and seeking out opportunities for the ‘good life’ with a women he had come to love during his arduous tour of duty in a combat zone.  Ed and Patricia (Wettstein) Shorma were married on June 3, 1953. 

Ed & Pat started their career of business and entrepreneurship, sitting around their small apartment in Breckenridge, MN looking at the potential ownership of the Wahpeton Shoe Hospital alternative from every angle. They didn’t own much of anything, and Pat was pregnant with their first child.  They had a relatively new car with a bank loan on it and whole lot of love…but was that enough equity to enter a business?   As the saying goes the rest is history, their entrepreneurship spirit served them well, Ed and Pat have been owners of the Wahpeton Shoe Hospital, Wahpeton Canvas Company, Primewood Inc., PrimeBoard Inc., Wahpeton Belting, Shur-Co, and WCCO Belting.  As quoted on a book written by their children “Starting on a Shoestring”, in 2013, “Dad’s personal humility, professional will and unflappable faith literally made him unstoppable in what he dreamed to accomplish.  Mom’s unbridled dedication to her children, guidance, her love, and her faith and values she bestowed upon her children” completed them as a team.  

Most of the eight children started their higher educations at NDSCS and have gone on to run the family businesses and ventured on their own to follow in their parent’s footsteps.  In 2007 Ed received one of the honors from NDSCS.  He received an Honorary Associate Degree, Ed quoted at that time “I think it’s a very distinct honor. We’ve always been very fond of what the college has offered the community. We’ve benefitted from it many different ways.” 

Ed & Pat currently reside between, Wahpeton, Pickerel Lake and winter in Arizona.  Their children Dick, Bill, Tom, Don, Shelle, Bob, Jane and David have found a happy ground as a family, they know that their father and mother’s roots, faith and support would see them through, and move them through their own changes and growth along life’s path.