Yeah, it was exaggerated a fair amount, although if you go to some of the small Norwegian farming towns not far from Fargo you can hear accents similar to the movie from the old folks...
yup, my in-laws are Norwegian, their parents all came over on the boat....we've got a "strom" in our last name.. ya sure, ya betcha!
Oh Karl! (sorry, when I type it out it just doesn't come across how my MIL says it..)