Obituary: Perry Oster

Perry Oster

Perry M. Oster, age 60, of Langdon, North Dakota, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

A visitation was held on Monday, October 9 from 5:00-6:00 p.m., followed by a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m., at St. Alphonsus Church, Langdon, N.D.

Perry's Carrington visitation was on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 6:45 p.m., followed by a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington, N.D.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Carrington, N.D., with Fr. Kurtis Gunwall and Fr. Terry Dodge officiating. Music was by the Sacred Heart Choir and organist, Marlene Boyer. Burial was at the Carrington Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Ross Feil, Doug Ferguson, Doug Smith, Doug Davis, Doug Schroeder, Paul Straley, Mark Fisk and Buddy Pretzer.

Honorary bearers were all of Perry's grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Perry was born in Carrington, N.D., on December 9, 1962, to Marvin and Angie Oster. He grew up in Carrington and attended Carrington High School.

After graduating high school in 1982, he attended North Dakota State School of Science earning a degree in accounting.

In 1984, Perry started at United Telephone as an accountant. Shortly after being hired he became the Office Manager and remained in that role until 2010 when he became the General Manager/CEO until his retirement in 2021 after 37 years with the company. Perry was respected by his employees and was always willing to lend a hand, whether it was working on a float for a parade or implementing new technology.

When Perry started at United Telephone, the company was a small Cooperative that provided local and long-distance service. During his tenure, the company acquired more exchanges, eventually becoming known as United & Turtle Mountain Communications, and offering local, long-distance, IPTV, and fiber to its home subscribers. From having zero computers in the office to fiber at every home in the service area, Perry was instrumental in transforming the company over the years.

Perry put his heart and soul into his work and the company, making many lifelong friends along the way. He was a leader in the telecommunications industry and was on many boards including Dakota Carrier Network, RSA2, RSA3, North Dakota Long Distance, North Plains Utility Contracting, and also served on the Member Advisory Committee for the National Information Solutions Cooperative for many years.

The Shriners had a special place in Perry's heart. He was secretary of the 49ers Shrine Club for 10+ years and a member of the Lebanon Lodge.

His summers were spent at Lake Juanita and Mount Carmel Dam. He loved being at the lakes with family and friends, laughing and sharing stories around the campfire or in his grain bin bar. His favorite holiday was July 4th, especially taking his great nephews to buy the largest fireworks they could find. Perry enjoyed traveling, UND hockey, his tractor, and ATV but his two loves were his work and summers at the lakes.

Perry will be deeply missed by Connie Stremick, significant other of Langdon; her family, Troy amd Frankie Stremick (Conner, Ava), Terra and Paul Medbery (Rylee, Hadley, Blakely) and Jill Stremick (Dekker) all of Langdon; his mother, Angie Oster, Carrington; sister, Melody (Brian) Klein, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; nephew, Brett Klein; niece, Kristina Klein and Zach Seipel; brother, Brian (Leslie) Oster, Carrington; nephew, Brandon and Kacey Rask, (Cayden and Alivia) Bismarck and niece, Nichole and Dustin Garber, (Callen, Nic and Briggs), Carrington.

Perry was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Oster.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Carrington and New Rockford, N.D.