Bryon W Oja

Bryon Oja, 52, of Bismarck, ND, passed away suddenly in his home on August, 12, 2013. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am Friday, August 16, at Church of St. Mary, Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. Gene Lindemann, Rev. Charlie Heidt, and Rev. Joshua Walz officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm Thursday, August 15, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary will begin at 7:00 pm. Bryon was born on May 31, 1961, in Stanley, ND to Everett and Deloris Oja. After graduating from high school in 1979, he attended BSC in Bismarck. Upon completion of college, he started working at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Beach, ND, where he met and fell madly in love with his wife, Sherry. They were married on May 28, 1988, and just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. In 1991 he was transferred to Bismarck, ND, to work for BNC National Bank as their custom computer programmer. He later became the Vice President of Operations and AS400 Administrator, which is the position he held until the time of his death. Bryon was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. His greatest joy in life was to spend time with his family. His home office enabled him to be very present for all five of his children. He spent vast amounts of time chaperoning field trips, running carpools, attending numerous sporting events and plays, blow-drying hair, witnessing "fashion" shows, and responding to the "sick bell" when someone had to stay home from school. He would do anything for anyone and would often say: "Let me drop what I'm doing so that I can fix your problem." Bryon was known for his dry sense of humor, quick wit, and ridiculous jokes that left us all smiling or groaning. To strangers he was known as "the guy who shoveled in shorts." He had a heart of gold and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Bryon is survived by his wife, Sherry; daughters, Jenny Tosner, Albuquerque NM, Jackie and Jessie Oja, Bismarck; sons, Joe Sierra Tosner, Dickinson, and Jordan Oja fiancée, Heather Demor, Copely OH; grandson, Brecken Tosner; mother, Deloris Oja; sisters, Daleen Wayne Johnson, Barb Dave Nesheim, all of Stanley, Brenda Steve Lautenschlager, Watford City; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Everett; and his grandparents. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the American Heart Association.

Bryon W Oja

May 31, 1961 - August 12, 2013