Wilmar Francis Vinje

Wilmar Francis Vinje, 89 of Mayville, ND died Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville. Wilmar was born March 30, 1921 to Martin and Nellie (Lee) Vinje at Primrose Township, Steele County, ND. He grew up and attended country school west of Portland. At a young age he stayed home to help out on the farm, and take care of his Dad until his death. On July 1, 1957 he married Frieda Lupien and together they had one daughter. He worked at various elevators until moving to Mayville in 1971 when he and Frieda purchased the Mayville Motel. Frieda died in 1984. He married Verna Brovold on May 25, 1985. Over the years Wilmar kept busy working various part time jobs. He and Verna kept each other young, alive and loved for 24 years. They enjoyed traveling, especially going on Goose River Bank Friendship Club bus trips. Verna died in 2009. Wilmar was a member of the Sons of Norway, and a Mason. He enjoyed woodworking, cards, bingo and dancing. He was a very social person and very active in the Mayville Senior Center for many years. He was a kind man, and his family was very important to him. Wilmar is survived by his daughter, Lori (Jim Ekstrom) Smith of Mayville; son, Gary Lupien of Commerce City, CO; step-children, Dennis (Nancy) Brovold of Bemidji, MN, and Maxine (John) van Ingen of St. Paul, MN; 7 grandchildren, Byron (Tami) Parker, Jason (Brenda) Lupien, Sharon (Brad) Domier, Julie (Corey) Teigland, Jon (Susan) Brovold, Ben (Jill) Brovold, and Scott (Krista) Kiesling; and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frieda; second wife, Verna; parents; 9 siblings; 1 granddaughter; and 1 great-granddaughter. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at Perry Lutheran Church, rural Portland, ND. Visitation: 5-7 PM Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at Baker Funeral Home, Mayville. Burial: Perry Lutheran Church Cemetery