Orin Ferris Bleken, 67

Orin Ferris Bleken passed away on Dec. 13, 2009, following a courageous bout with lung cancer; leaving behind many friends and family who will miss him every day. The son of Oscar and Fern Bleken, he was born June 22, 1942, in Williston, N.D. He was raised in Appam, N.D., and graduated from Alamo High School in 1960. Orin spent the next three years farming and ranching in North Dakota and California before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1963. After completing the Infantry School Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Ga., he served a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam in 1964, before completing his active duty in Fort Bragg, N.C., in 1966. He returned to North Dakota and attended the North Dakota School of Broadcasting in Bismarck. Upon graduation, he worked the news desk at KUMV-TV in Williston. In 1968 he relocated to Kalispell and presided at the news desk of KCFW-TV, and then later worked as a news announcer at AM Radio KOFI. He was noted for his infectious sign-off, From the desk of KOFI News, this is Orin Bleken. His broadcasting career highlights included interviews with both President Nixon and President Ford. In 1978 he departed the broadcasting field and spent over 20 years as a foreman at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company before retiring in 2001. Orin was an avid horse back rider, which led him to spending the next three seasons as operations manager at the Laughing Water Guest Ranch and Tuckers Inn Guest Ranch in Lincoln County, sharing his love of the outdoors and horses with everyone he came across. His horses, Junior and Cheyenne, were his constant companions. Orin relocated to Fargo, N.D., in 2007 and enjoyed spending time at the North Dakota Horse Park, where he also served on the board of directors. He relished time riding horses in the Sand Hills south of Leonard. Orin lived his life in true cowboy style. His devotion to God, his family, and horses brought many years of happiness and fulfillment. Orin is survived by his daughter, Rae, and Sherman Baker, of Kalispell; son, Ryan, and Tina Bleken of Westminster, Md.; daughter, Amy, and Armando Ygbuhay, of Chantilly, Va.; son, Mick, and Toni Bleken, of Kalispell; daughter, Kari, and Tim Barnes, of Fargo; and daughter, Molly, and Lee Hepburn of Denver; grandchildren, Arielle and Elliott Potter, Colby Baker, Gianna and Nico Bleken, and Olivia Barnes; mother, Fern Bleken, of Appam, N.D.; brother, Emil, and Valerie Bleken, of Alamo, N.D.; sister, Carol, and Wally Blomberg, of Fargo; and brother, Virgil, and Paulette Bleken, of Spokane. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Joseph s Indian School, P.O. Box 100, Chamberlain, S.D. 57325. Visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. today, Dec. 16, at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. today at Boulger Funeral Home. Arrangements are entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. An online guestbook is available at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com