Ritchie Oien

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Ritchie Oien, 63, of Baltic died Thursday, January 1, 2015 from complications of Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Disease at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at East Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Baltic. Burial with Military Honors will be in the East Nidaros Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7:00 PM Monday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Baltic.

Ritchie Dean Oien was born was born April 4, 1951 in Dell Rapids to parents Otto and Bernice (Nyhus) Oien. He grew up in Baltic and graduated from Baltic High School. He continued his education at the Universal Trade School in Omaha, Nebraska. Ritchie was a specialization mechanic for Kearn’s Machinery for 12 years before working to Butler Machinery until his retirement on September 19, 2014.

Ritchie married Nikki Bergjord August 4, 1978 in Sioux Falls, they lived in Sioux Falls from 1978 until they moved to Baltic in 1985.

Ritchie served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was baptized and confirmed at East Nidaros Lutheran Church and was a member of the Baltic Lutheran Church and past member of the Baltic Fire Department.

Ritchie enjoyed spending time with family and friends and truly enjoyed travel to Virginia to be with his grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Nikki, Baltic; daughters, Jamie (John) Covington, Virginia Beach, Virginia; Jenna (Eric Nesheim) Oien, Baltic; three grandchildren, Jaydin, Jaliyah, & Jamari Covington, Virginia Beach, Virginia; his siblings, Terry (Dianne) Oien, Gilbert, AZ; Vicky Myran, Sioux Falls; Marcy (Dave) Linton, Baltic; Randy (Kim) Oien, Sioux Falls; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Bernice Oien.