Orlin Oium

Oium

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church for Orlin Richard Oium, 80, Towner, who died Friday, Aug. 15, at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.

Burial was in Union Cemetery, Towner.

Orlin was born August 9, 1934 at the Mrs. Shipman home in Towner, a son of Richard & Esther Irene (Moen) Oium. He attended Red Cross Schools #1 and #2 in his township, and graduated from Towner High School in 1953. He continued his education at the School of Forestry in Bottineau, where he earned an Associate of Science degree. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanized agriculture, with a major in irrigation, from North Dakota State University. He continued his education by studying under a research assistantship at the Deep River Development Farm near Upham during the summer of 1957. In November 1958 he was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving two years in the infantry, medical and dental corps at Fort Lewis, Wash., Camp Carlson, Colo., and Brooks Army Medical Center in Texas. He was honorably discharged in November 1960. He worked for the Farmers Home Administration in Ramsey, Nelson, Stutsman, Stark, Billings, Golden Valley, Dunn, Benson and McHenry counties until 1963, when he resigned.

He served as an advisor to the Souris Red Rainy River Basin Commission (appointed by Governor William Guy), served as chairman and board member of the McHenry County Farmers Union, Citizens United to Save the Valley, as vice chairman and board member of the Verendrye Electric Coop. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, the North Dakota Democratic-NPL party, Sons of Norway, National Gudbrandsdalslaget, Valdres Samband, the Oliver Hart Parr Club and the International Cockshutt Club.

He is survived by his sister, Joyce; one aunt and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gerald.

Wally Fretland officiated. Music was provided by the Moen family and Oliene Hall, piano and organ. Military honors were accorded by the Vernon T. Starks VFW Post 7067 in Towner and the North Dakota Military Honors Detail.

Casketbearers were Aaron Bryn, Bruce Dokken, Even Garnant, Arlyn Moen, Christopher Nelson and Ryan Taylor.

Arrangements by Niewoehner Funeral Home of Rugby.