Oriette Josephine Tuorila

Oriette Tuorila, 94, passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at Villa Maria Nursing Home in Fargo.
Oriette Josephine Hauge was born March 7,1924 to John and Olga (Trygstad) Hauge in Brookings, S.D. She grew up on a farm in Grant County where her parents homesteaded. She attended elementary school in a one-room school near Leith, N.D. and graduated from Carson High School.

Her father died when she was six years old and her mother’s brother lived on the farm with her mother, older sister, Helen and herself until she finished high school and they moved to Brookings, S.D. Oriette attended Black Hills Commercial College, Rapid City, S.D. and Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN and taught in elementary parochial schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She moved to Fargo in 1955 and made it her home. She worked in several offices including FAA, the VA Engineering Dept and retiring in 1995 from the ASCS (now FSA) office in Fargo. She enjoyed playing the organ for chapel services at the VA Hospital in Fargo for 32 years from 1975 until 2008.

Oriette married Harold Holmen on July 20, 1955 when Harold joined the staff at NDSU until his death in 1972. They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fargo. She raised 2 children, worked part time and was active in church activities. She married Ervin Kickertz on December 15, 1984. He died in 2002. They were members of Edgewood United Methodist Church. She enjoyed time spent with many friends. She married Rudy Tuorila on August 1, 2003 and they spent a lot of time traveling and enjoying life together at Edgewood Vista. After Rudy’s stroke in 2013, they spent a year together at Villa Maria Nursing Home until his death in December 2014. Oriette was a gentle, kind and loving woman who dedicated her life to her faith, family and friends.

She is survived by her son Robert (Donna) Holmen, grandchildren Michael and Ariel of Kenosha, WI, Daughter Mary (Kim) Stokes, Horace, ND, grandchildren Chelsey (Robert) Johnson, Lindsay (Matt) Condry, and Leah Stokes along with great-grandchildren, Beau & Rayna Johnson and Willow Condry. Stepchildren, Kay Kickertz, Milwaukee, WI, Becky & Jim Stoll, Fernley, NV, Bonnie & Steve Todee, Brenham, TX, John & Jill Tuorila, Calumet, MN, Jim & Diane Tuorila, St. Cloud, MN and several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews and loving in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands and sister, Helen Johnson.

The family of Oriette Tuorila would like to thank the staff of Villa Maria and Hospice for all the kindness and thoughtful care given these past few years. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Villa Maria or Hospice of the RR Valley.