Ordean Momerak
Dec. 13, 1934-April 29, 2021
Ordean Momerak, 86,
Minot, died peacefully on
Thursday, April 29, 2021,
in his home with family at
his side.
Ordean Clayton Mom-
erak was born on De-
cember 13, 1934, in Park
River, ND, to Vilhelm and
Odelia (Dahl) Momerak.
He was raised in Park
River and graduated from
Walsh County Agricultur-al High School in 1954.
Ordean was once mar-
ried to Donna Matcha and
they were the parents of
seven children. He started
his career in Minneapolis
where he was employed
by the Sears Catalog
Department. In 1956 he
became employed by the
Walsh County Record in
the printing department.
Then, he was employed
by the Devils Lake Journal
for six months prior to ac-
cepting a position at the
Minot Daily News where
he retired after working
for over 35 years. He then
pursued his passion in
carpentry under the name
Big M.
In 1987 Ordean met and
married the love of his life
Darlene Rickertt Valgren
and they made their home
in Minot. Ordean retired
in 2001 and they contin-
ued to reside in Minot.
Ordean was a member
of Zion Lutheran Church,
where he was a member
of the church council and
served as an usher. Also,
he was a member of the
Eagles Aerie and Moose
Lodge, both in Minot. He
especially enjoyed travel-
ing, hunting, carpentry,
reading and gardening.
His most memorable sum-
mer trip was to Alaska,
where he halibut fished in
Cook Inlet with family
and then traveled to Eu-
rope where he explored
Germany, Paris France
and his dream of meeting
distant cousins on the
farm in Norway.
Ordean’s loving family
includes his wife of 33
years: Darlene; children:
Marlene (Ken) Aitchison
of Sheridan WY, Mark
(Lenette) Momerak of
Bismarck, Merrie Lou
Borud of Minot, Susan
(Stan) Haman of Kenai,
AK, Tim (Judy) Momerak
of Douglas WY, Phil
(Leann) Momerak of
Minot and Ken (Gail)
Momerak of Minot, step-
children: Cheryl (Chris)
Jensen of Colorado
Springs and Gordon Jr.
(Michelle) Valgren of
Minot; numerous grand-
children, step grandchil-
dren, great-grandchildren
and step
great-grandchildren; si-
blings: Leonard (Adele)
Momerak of Grafton and
Bernice (Ed) Pengilly of
Langdon, sister-in-law:
Judy Evensen of Fargo
and several nieces,
nephews and cousins.
Ordean was preceded
in death by his parents,
mother- and father-in-law:
Thelma and Earl Rickertt,
siblings: Harvey (Phyllis)
Momerak, Donna (Marvin)
Mertens, Wallace (Elda)
Momerak and Wilma
(Gordon) Gemmill, great-
granddaughter: Mercedes
Momerak, son-in-law:
Brad Borud and faithful
dog: Katie.
Celebration of the Life
of Ordean Momerak:
Thursday, May 6, 2021, at
1:00 p.m. in Zion Luth-
eran Church, Minot. Face
coverings are required,
and a livestream of the
service may be viewed by
using the link in the web-
site obituary.
Interment will be in
Sunset Memorial Gar-
dens, Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday
from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. in Thomas Family
Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are pre-
ferred to the Zion Luth-
eran Church Building
Fund, Souris Valley An-
imal Shelter or the
donor’s choice.
Memories and con-
dolences may be shared at
www.thomasfamily
funeralhome.com.