Obituary/Perry Curtis Oien, 97

Perry Curtis Oien was born on September 14, 1928, near Halma, Mn. to Sig and Myrtle (Kolberg) Oien.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Halma. He attended elementary school in Halma and Karlstad High School where he graduated from in 1945.  Following school Perry worked for several area farmers and was united in marriage to Avis Romona Ingeman on March 30, 1951, at Marriah Lutheran Church in Kennedy, MN.   Shortly after his marriage he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Alaska and San Antonio.  Following his discharge in 1953 he and Avis made their home in the Karlstad community where he worked for Solar Gas and part time at both the Karlstad Advocate and the Northstar News.  He later worked for the USPS in Karlstad as a clerk and later as a rural carrier for many years until his retirement from the post office in 1989.  He then worked part-time at the Northstar Motor Inn in Karlstad for 20 years.  He and Avis spent 10 years wintering in Brownsville, TX. and would return to Karlstad in the summer months.  Avis passed away in 2014, and Perry continued to make his home in Karlstad until entering the Meadows assisted living in 2023 and then in 2025 moved to the Karlstad Healthcare Center where he passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the age of 97.

Perry was a member of First Lutheran Church in Karlstad where he served as treasurer, past member of the Karlstad Fire Department where he served as Secretary for 15 years, past member of the Karlstad Eagles, lifetime member of the Karlstad American Legion Post #445 and the Karlstad Golf Club.

He was a very active golfer and very much enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings.  

Perry is survived by his daughters Paulette (Tom) Olson of Karlstad and Susan (Jerry) Olson of Grand Forks, ND., his grandchildren Ryan Olson of Karlstad, Jandi Ketelson (Shane Heiberg) of Bemidji, MN, Jared (Stacy) Olson of Beltrami, MN., Jasie Olson of Grand Forks, Great Grandchildren Kamden And Roen Ketelson of Bemidji, Gemma and Jaeger Olson of Beltrami, MN, his sister Nona Wennersten of Grand Forks,  along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Avis, sister Leatrice Spilde, numerous brother in laws and sister in laws.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Interment services will be held at the Karlstad City Cemetery following services with military honors accorded by the Karlstad American Legion Post #445 and the Minnesota National Guard.

Arrangements are with Collins Funeral Home of Karlstad.

An online guestbook is available at www.collinsfunerals.com