'I Will Always Remember This': 75 Farmers Show Up To Finish Fallen Friend’s Final Harvest

December 5, 2025

In rural North Dakota, where neighbors are more like family, an incredible act of kindness unfolded after a beloved farmer’s sudden passing. Near the small town of Antler, dozens of farmers came together to make sure their friend’s final harvest was completed.

Credit: Kharra Fyllesvold

Randy Fyllesvold, a well-known farmer in the area, tragically lost his life in a crash near Maxbass back in September. Wanting to ease the burden on his family, friends and neighbors quickly stepped in. Led by Wyatt Thompson and Andy Gates, the group organized a large-scale harvest to gather Randy’s remaining crops — including soybeans, canola, and more than 1,000 acres of corn.

Earlier this month, roughly 75 volunteers, 12 combines, and help from more than 10 communities worked together to harvest about 1,400 acres of corn in just a matter of days. The effort required careful coordination and teamwork, including working with local grain elevators to handle the massive amount of crops coming in all at once. It was truly a “divide and conquer” operation — and it worked beautifully.

Credit: Kharra Fyllesvold

Randy’s widow, Kharra Fyllesvold, shared a deeply emotional message thanking everyone who showed up. She described the scene as “nothing short of breathtaking,” saying the sight of so many people harvesting her husband’s final crop was both heartbreaking and beautiful. Through their grief, she and her two sons felt overwhelmingly blessed by the love and support surrounding them.

"Thank you to each and every person that had a part of today. Special thanks to Andy Gates, Kevin Tyler, and Wyatt Thompson for organizing something I will never forget," she shared on Facebook.

"As I stood in the shop and looked around before the final Randy Fyllesvold corn harvest started, I was flooded with memories we created with all of you. The love and friendship that made this harvest possible are impossible to put into words. The day was full of emotion, but I found so much peace in watching it unfold. More pictures and videos to come, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will always remember this and Randy would be so proud. God bless all of you and the boys and I love each and every one of you. 12 combines, 7 grain carts, over 40 trucks all for you Randy. Your good heart, infectious laugh, and love for farming are contagious. I know you are smiling down."