Orvin Benonie Fjare was born on April 16, 1918 in Big Timber, MT to Oluf B. Fjare and Abigael Hetland Fjare. He weighed in at 12lbs according to a set of fish scales.
On June 27, 2011 at 93 years old, he passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his oldest daughter, Gail, with Kitty curled in the crook of his neck.
Orvin grew up on a sheep ranch outside of Melville, MT. He learned to work hard at a young age but he also played hard. Orvin attended Hedley School which was set in their pasture. During recess he had to go out and herd the sheep back the other direction. He graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in 1937. In 1940, he volunteered in the U.S. Army. He graduated from Officer Candidate School as a 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned to the school as an instructor. During this time, his high school sweetheart, Sigrid Solberg, was on his mind. He asked her to marry him and she sent him back a telegram that read “Yes!” They were married on September 9, 1942 – a marriage that lasted over 66 years until Sigrid died in March 2009. He was transferred to the Army Air Corps, earned his wings and piloted B-24 bombers. Orvin flew missions in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Okinawa, returning to Big Timber in 1945 as a Captain. He worked a variety of jobs in Big Timber, including Solberg’s store and selling insurance. Orvin became active in many groups: Rod and Gun Club, Lions Club, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Big Timber School Board, and he was selected as a Jaycees 10 Outstanding Young Men of America. While he was the National Vice-President of Jaycees, he was persuaded to run for Congress. He was elected as a Republican to the 84th Congress (1955-56) from the eastern district of Montana. After election to the State House of Representatives in 1959, Orvin ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate in 1960. He became the State Director of Advertising and Travel Promotion, 1962-69, then was appointed the Director of the FHA/HUD before retiring in 1978 and returning ‘home’ to Big Timber. Throughout his career, he was often sought out to speak on Americanism and commencements.
Orvin was famous for his one day family vacations visiting Yellowstone Park, balancing cups of water over cracked doors on April Fool’s Day, taking naps anytime, anywhere, in front of anyone, and talking without his teeth (to the delight of his grandchildren and chagrin of his wife and children) and smuggling trout from Hooper’s ponds to trick others at the Annual Crazy Mountain Bash. Orvin was never without a hobby and fortunately for him, his wife and children put up with those as well. He had his tropical fish and photography phase. This led to more serious and lasting interests such as gardening and greenhouses. The house became full of orchids, hyacinths, and miniature roses. The yard and porches became full of roses, fuchsias, 12 foot corn stocks, tomato ‘bushes’, hydrangeas, begonias and pansies. Then he was persuaded into making Sigrid the dollhouse she always wanted, leading to his miniature furniture career. Even in their 80’s, they traveled the country going to Miniature shows, taking children and grandchildren to chauffeur. Now the house was full of plants, sawdust and miniature furniture. Then Orvin decided to make wine out of the chokecherries, leading to his winemaking career. He located the Fjare winery in his bedroom. Now the house was full of plants, sawdust, miniatures and trails of wine to the kitchen where it was bottled. Many, many family gatherings were celebrated with Fjare Wine, bottled two months earlier, in recycled Cabin Still Bourbon bottles. Fjare Wine is best served cold, in small glasses.
Orvin is survived by his beloved “Kitty!” (Formerly known as “Socks” until he found out Bill Clinton had a cat of the same name) and his four children: Gail Fjare and Jon Fjare of Helena, Diane Braughton (Ronnie) of Billings, Nita Wheeler (Steve) of Bozeman and Billings. Bampthy has seven grandchildren: Jami Romney FitzGerald (Clint Romney) of Ninemile, Geoff FitzGerald (Kristi) and Kevin Braughton (Sonja Best) of Hamilton, Curt Braughton (Jenny), Tyler Wheeler of Billings, Kyle and Abby Wheeler of Bozeman. Great Bampthy has three great grandchildren: Kaiden and Kamas Romney (Ninemile) and Tira Braughton (Billings). He has several nieces and nephews he was close with – Monte (Cheri) Fjare, Mark (Kathryn) Fjare, Heather (Ruth) Fjare, Sharon (Wes) Glover, Wayne (Theresa) Fjare, and Jason Fjare. Orvin was preceded in death by his three younger brothers, Kenneth, Harold and David Fjare.
Orvin/Dad/Bampthy/Great Bampthy will be greatly missed by his family, Kitty, Steve’s Café and the Cracker Barrel restaurant.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Crazy Mountain Museum, P.O. Box 83, Big Timber, MT 59011 or American Legion Post 19, P.O. Box 51
Big Timber, MT 59011.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 30th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A graveside service with military honors will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 1st at Mountainview Cemetery in Big Timber, followed by a celebration/reception at the American Legion. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
BILL MILES (Helena) says
A FANTASTIC person I was pleased to know many years ago. Orvin was the Montaqna President of the JAYCEES, when we installed the Butte Club. I was elected to be one of two State Vice Presidents at that time. At a moments notice, he was able to come up with a great talk on Americanism. It was certainly a great pleasure to have known him !
Bob & Julie DeBar says
Dear Gail and Family,
We are saddened to learn of Orvin’s death. His obit is a veritable history lesson in which he fully participated. Thank you for the beautiful testament to a life well lived. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Bob & Julie DeBar
Doris Strand McDonald says
Gail and Dianne, I am so sad for you to be without your wonderful parents. What a life they had! Orvin was such a handsome man.L
Your family meant so much to the Strands. Funerals make me think of your mom coming in with a big pot of “funeral soup” for us when our house was running over with people and coffee and sweets after our dad died.
May you be forever hearing their voices.
Wishing you happy memories and loving people around you,
Doris
Elaine Mueller-Cantu says
Nita and family,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved father. I have fond memories of him and your mother during many visits to their homes in Helena and Big Timber. Your father certainly lived a long and happy life surrounded by his loving family and his many projects and hobbies. May your memories of this fine man bring you comfort.
Elaine
Jim Johnson says
Gail, Jami, Geoff–Sorry to hear about your dad (grandfather). What a life!
Peg Holwick says
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Gail’s beloved Dad. May your faith in the Lord and the support of friends and family comfort you at this time. Please accept my heartfelt condolenes. Respectfully, Peg
Randy Rabenstein says
It sounds like your Dad had a full and amazing life. I’m sure he will be missed.
Sharon Fjare Glover says
Being part of the Fjare family is an honor and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend the past two summers to visit and spend time with my Uncle Orvin. He was a great man with many talents and was admired by many, including my father. It seems to me Heaven is the place to be, since so many of our family is there. Prayers and Blessings to Gail, Diane, Nita, and Jon. Love, Sharon Fjare Glover and family.
Steve Vincelli says
To Orvin’s Family.
We would like to send our sympathy in the passing of your father.
He will be missed by his family here at Steve’s Cafe.
It was an honor to know him.
Steve, Penny & Staff