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Orrin Rongstad Obituary
Orrin Rongstad
April 22, 1931 – Aug. 4, 2022
MIDDLETON - Orrin Rongstad, age 91, of Middleton, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. He was born on April 22, 1931, in York, Wis., to Johnny and Cora Rongstad, the fourth of six children. Orrin graduated from Osseo High School as valedictorian in 1949, and then attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire until 1952, when he joined the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from the Air Force Officers Candidate School in 1953, and was honorably discharged in 1957. Orrin then continued his studies at the University of Minnesota with a degree in Wildlife Management and furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin with a master's degree and Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Zoology in 1965.
Orrin married Bernice Satter in 1962, and they had three children together, Kurt, Neil and Amy. They settled in Middleton in 1967, where Orrin took a position at UW in the Department of Wildlife Ecology, serving as advisor, teacher, researcher and department chair. After retiring, Orrin continued his deer research and helped with the introduction of the elk into Northern Wisconsin. He also took up golf and continued to hunt and fish. His favorite activity was spending quality time with his family and friends.
Orrin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bernice; and children, Kurt (Meriel) Rongstad, Neil (Daniela) Rongstad and Amy (Rick) Grelle. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Rachel (Dan), Derek (Meg) and Mallory Rongstad, Erick and Kevin Grelle and Jonah Rongstad; siblings, Dorothy Anderson, Robert (JoAnn) Rongstad and Arnie (Jane) Rongstad; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at ST. LUKE'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. Military rights and burial will be held at Middleton Junction Cemetery after the church luncheon. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Agrace HospiceCare or charity of your choice.
"If I had my life to do over, I would be happy to marry the same girl and make the same choices that I did growing up in a small town, Osseo, during the Depression."
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
Memories and Condolences
for Orrin Rongstad
Sponsored by Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care - Middleton.
Thomas Larson
December 12, 2023
Orrin offered me an assistantship to go to graduate school in Wildlife Ecology at the UW-Madison. That degree and his confidence in me led to my life long career in wildlife management and research, both in Africa with Peace Corps and with 37 years with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System. Warren was always very supportive, even with some of my unusual attempts to live capture deer. Orrin set me on the road for the rest of my life and I will always be grateful. Tom Larson graduate of the class of 1974.
Lisa Satter
August 27, 2022
Orrin was such a lovely man. Dad and I traveled to Wisconsin for Neil and Daniela's wedding and had a great time over dinner (fresh turkey I believe) hearing his stories about the university, hunting and family. He lived a great life with the love of Beicie, surrounded by a wonderful family.
Joseph Cerniglia
August 13, 2022
REST IN PEACE ORIN
Sue Wagenaar
August 8, 2022
Dear Bernie and family,
I am deeply sorry for the loss of this special man in your lives. May God provide His peace and comfort to each of you in this difficult time.
Love in Christ,
Sue Wagenaar (Doll volunteer)
Tom Larson
August 8, 2022
I first met Orrin when I was an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1967. Orrin taught several of the undergraduate courses with a combination of enthusiasm, humor, and common sense that always made me feel open to approach him any time. When I completed my bachelor´s degree in 1971, I planned to take a year off school before starting graduate school. But that summer, while I was working a seasonal job with the National Park Service, Orrin contacted me and offered me a research assistantship to study white-tailed deer that would lead to a master´s degree in wildlife ecology. The opportunity Orrin offered me and my resulting UW master´s degree led to my acceptance to work in West Africa studying wildlife as part of a joint Smithsonian/Peace Corps/United Nations project. The project required a master´s degree. That experience helped secure a position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that led to a 37 year career working with the National Wildlife Refuge System. Without Orrin´s generous invitation to graduate school and his thoughtful mentoring, it is likely that key milestones in my life may well have not happened. Thank you, Orrin, I owe you much and will never forget.
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