Dennis Vinger, 80, formerly of Wheelock, ND, and Wolf Point, MT, went home to his Heavenly Father on Sunday, June 20, at the Comfort Care facility in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ. Funeral services will be held at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point, MT at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 1st. His son, Brent Vinger, will host a luncheon at the Cattleman’s Cut following this service. The burial will be on Friday, July 2nd, at 11:00 AM at the Wheelock Cemetery, near Wheelock, ND, with a Celebration of Life Service immediately following at the Epping Pavilion in Epping, ND. Lunch will be served at the Epping Pavilion following the service.
Dennis Lamont Vinger was born June 5th, 1941, in Williston, ND, to Olaf and Olive (Gilbertson) Vinger. He was raised on the family farm northwest of Wheelock, ND, and educated at the Wheelock School. On March 13, 1959, he was united in marriage to Janice Arcand of Wheelock. He was inducted into the United States Navy in San Diego, CA, later that spring, and received an honorable medical discharge that same year. He and Janice made their first home in Wheelock where they began their family. The young family soon moved to Epping, ND, where he worked for Hank Farver at the Epping Elevator. The family later moved to Denton, MT, where Dennis was called to be the manager at the Denton Elevator. He began his long career with Cenex as manager in Wolf Point, MT, in 1975, and retired as Regional Manager more than 30 years later. He met and later married Barb Solie and the couple moved to Surprise, AZ, when he became ill with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and needed a double lung transplant in 2010. Barb was instrumental in arranging his double lung transplant, as well as the move to Surprise. She was a fabulous caregiver for him during his convalescence.
He was a member of the Wheelock Lutheran Church, a member of the Wolf Point Credit Union, he served on the Chamber of Commerce board, the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede Board, and was very active in the community. His six children, 23 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and his 2 great-great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. He also enjoyed golf, basketball, hunting, country music, and traveling with the rodeo circuit helping with the Brookman stock. He felt truly honored when he was named Grand Marshall of the Wolf Point Stampede in 2011.
Dennis is survived by his only son, Brent Vinger (Jessica), of Wolf Point, and his son, Dr. Jorden Vinger, and Jessica’s daughter, Mariah, as well as Dennis’s daughters, Vickie Heller and her husband, Greg of Williston, ND, their children, Jed (Desirae) and Ticinie (Dan) Weber; Cindy Stensland of Wolf Point, MT, and her children, Josh (Betsy), Katlin (Jamie) and Randy; Brenda Hegge and her husband, Keith, of Billings, MT, and her children, Kristopher (Traci), Kegan (Heather), Colton and Chelby; Christy Jeannotte and her husband, Randy, of New Town, ND, their children, Tyler (Lauren) and Shandi (Aaron); Tonya Brost and her husband, Jerry McDowell, of Dickinson, ND, and her children, Kolby (Jelisa), Dawson (Megan), Cutler (Danika) and Easton. He is also survived by his brothers, Orren (Elaine) Vinger of Chandler, AZ, Russ (Collie) Vinger of Jolliet, MT; his sisters, Carole (Ron) Haug of West Fargo, ND, and Gayle (Lonnie) Malwitz of Lakeville, MN, his sister-in-laws, Doris (Richard) Vinger of Grand Forks, Sylvia (Cliff) Vinger of Williston, and Doris L. (Myron) Vinger of Bozeman as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Barb, his infant daughter, Wendy Lou, his son-in-law, George Stensland, his brothers, Oscar Vinger, Gene (Alice) Hermanson, Richard Vinger, Clifford Vinger, Larry (Sandi) Vinger, Myron Vinger, and his sisters Inga (Clifford) Stewart, Olga (Jerry) Jordan, Mabel (Hugh) Lindsay, Lyla (Gil) McKee, Eunice (Bill) Broomfield, Delores (Alvin) Steen, Ada (Bob) Greenhalgh, and Marlene (Bob) Dietz.
Friends may visit Wednesday night between 5-7 p.m. at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point and for an hour before the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Wolf Point Stampede Committee.
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 30, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday July 1, 2021
First Lutheran Church
415 Johnson Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 30, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday July 1, 2021
First Lutheran Church
415 Johnson Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Robin Schock says
Oh goodness, sending love and prayers!!
Warren & Bev Evans says
So sorry to hear of Dennis’s passing but he is not suffering any longer
Gayle Vinger Malwitz says
We will miss you, Bro’ … you were the best!
Duane and PhyllisTorpy says
Prayers for all of you..
Trudy Fox says
Prayers for all of you and Dennis too. What a great guy he was! Certainly, he is enjoying heaven!
Jean Archdale says
My thoughts are with all of you. Losing our parents is just hard even if they have been ill, one is never ready to say goodbye, ever. I will be praying for all of you that God gives you the strength you will need over the days, weeks and months ahead.
Brian A. Nedberg says
Brian & Cindy Nedberg
Dennis was a warrior and put up a valiant fight and he will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are
with Dennis’s family.
Ron and Carole Haug says
RIP OSS Snicker Hoot!! Quite a nickname he had! We’re going to miss you terribly, but know that you’re in heaven and enjoying all of the family that’s gone before!! God Bless and we’ll see you again someday!!
Beckie Walters says
Uncle Denny – I will forever smile when I think of you!
I enjoyed your camaraderie! You and Auntie J raised an amazing family! You will be forever missed, see you on the other side.
Terry Peterson Jarvis says
I’m so sorry! Mom & I watched a whole bunch of you all surround your dad/grandpa with care & love during a rodeo two years ago. It was pure love & has crossed my mind often. I’ll be thinking of you all in the coming weeks & months. Take care of each other.
Sharon C Wemmer says
So sorry for your loss. Dennis was always so much fun and so good to me, especially when I was a new comer to Wolf Point. I have many good memories of him at Harry’s and anything to do with horses or rodeo. I pray that you can find comfort in the memories.
My sympathies to all of you,
Sharon Wemmer
Marguerite Gysler says
A lasting stampede celebrating Dennis today . He touched our life significantly as he shared wisdom ,friendship , family. May your many memories be shared today and future get togethers .
Chris Haug says
I always laugh when I remember him telling me the story of how he was Wheelock basketballs only 30 for 30 guy…..I asked what do you mean 30 for 30 guy? Uncle Dennis stated ” I touched the ball 30 times in a game once and I shot it 30 times……I had 4 points that game!!”LOL RIP Uncle Dennis….you will be missed!
DaleandLinda Farver Bismarck nd says
Good man learned a lot from him see ya on the other side
Diane White says
We were so sorry to hear of Dennis passing. Will always remember his friendly smile and kind ways. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts & prayers to the family.
Tom & Diane White
Steven and Patty Berge says
Dennis had quite the collection of one-liners. Our favorite and frequently quoted: “Dennis, how many people do you have working for you now?” “Oh, about half.”
You will be sadly missed.
Melody Byrum says
Dennis was one of the best people I have known in my life, he was so very kind to me and my son Jake Reynolds, I am sorry for this loss, but Heaven received another angel. Rest In Peace my friend