Kim Lenae Ouren

Kim was born on September 19, 1957, in Fargo, ND, to Paul and Janice Johnson. She was the oldest of four kids growing up together on the family farm. Kim graduated from Kindred High School in 1975, then attended NDSU, graduating in 1979 with a double major in marketing and home economics. On July 29, 1978, she married the love of her life Dave, and the couple lived on the north side of Fargo for 40 wonderful years.

Kim's decorated professional career included positions with the Chamber of Commerce, Dakota Bank, First Interstate Bank, Community First, and most recently at the Bank of the West. She was highly respected by her colleagues and peers, as evidenced by her many professional accolades. Kim served on the Promotions Council and the Board of Directors for the Downtown Business Association. She also was the American Institute of Banking President and served on the North Dakota Bankers Association Advertising Committee. In 1997, the YWCA named Kim their Woman of the Year in Business, and the Advertising Federation awarded her their silver medal in 2017. She also enjoyed giving back to the community, serving on the boards of the FM Chamber Ambassadors, First Link, and Habitat for Humanity.

Even though she was an accomplished career woman, nothing brought Kim greater joy than her two children, Derek and Leisha. Kim loved going to her kids' sporting events and never missed a game. She loved becoming a grandma and spent as much time as she could with her grandchildren. Kim had many of her own interests and hobbies as well; she was an avid reader and always enjoyed her book club. She also liked to attend concerts and watch Twins baseball, and she never missed an opportunity to cheer on the Bison. Kim had a passion for entertaining, and she always prioritized the happiness of her loved ones.

Kim is survived by her husband of nearly 40 years, Dave; one son, Derek (Amy) Ouren; one daughter, Leisha (Josh) Sax; three grandchildren, Evelyn, Abby, and Oakley; mother, Janice Johnson; sisters, Jodi (Kelly) Norman, and Tracy (David) Fisher; brother, Bradley; and brother-in-law, Dan (Lynn) Ouren. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul; mother-in-law, Carol Ouren-Anderson; father-in-law, Harold Ouren and sister-in-law, DeDe Ouren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity – 210 N. 11th St., Moorhead, MN 56560 or Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation – 1615 L St., Suite 430, Washington, D.C. 20036