Orren Vinger

Orren Cleo Vinger, 89, of Billings, formerly of Wolf Point, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.

He was born March 20, 1934, in Wheelock, N.D., to Olaf and Olive (Gilbertson) Vinger. He graduated from Wheelock High School in 1953.

He met Elaine Remmen in November 1955. They got engaged that December, and the two young Norwegians were married on St. Patty’s Day in 1956. It was a whirlwind start to a romance that lasted nearly 67 years, holding hands to the end. They had three children — two sons, Terry and Mark, and a daughter, Tammy, along with their eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

They spent most of their married years between North Dakota and Montana and eventually settled in Wolf Point, where they raised their family. They also enjoyed their time together in Billings and Chandler, Ariz., which allowed them to be close to family.

He started working as a meter reader at 89 cents an hour and worked his way up to division manager in his 40 years with Montana-Dakota Utilities.

He was a member of the JCs, the Wolf Point Stampede Committee, Luther League