Roald J. Mogen

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Roald J Mogen, 91, of Livingston, died peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2014, at Livingston HealthCare Hospital after a short stay. The last child of five children, Roald was born to Charlie and Margit (Hasslekass) Mogen in Fairdale, North Dakota, on August 21, 1922. Growing up in western North Dakota, Roald kindled his love of the land. He worked on the family ranch in McKenzie County in his young years, but he looked forward to the planting and the harvesting even when he had his drug store in Livingston, Mont., and after his retirement. After graduating from high school in Watford City, North Dakota, Roald attended North Dakota State University, studying pharmacy. World War II interrupted his studies, but instead of joining the armed services, he was called back home to support the war effort by farming and ranching. Following the war, Roald returned to Fargo to finish his degree, but first he had to intern as a pharmacist in Crosby, North Dakota where he met a young teacher. That teacher would become his wife of 63 years when he and Carmen Aamodt were married on June 15, 1950. After working in several different drug stores in Wyoming, Roald and his brother-in-law Emil Madson bought Public Drug in Livingston, Mont. where he was a pharmacist for about thirty years; but Roald was so much more than just a pharmacist. He gave advice to ranchers on their ailing cows, helped choose the right camera or box of Russell Stover candy, or took the time to have a friendly conversation with a customer. Roald truly enjoyed the outdoors. He was one of the founding members of the Big Sky Snow Riders, the first group allowed to snowmobile in Yellowstone National Park in the winter, breaking their own trails the entire time. Often the Mogen family's recreation centered around their Mill Creek cabin where they could hike, snowmobile, ski, and horseback ride. A cowboy at heart, he loved to help out on cattle roundups and brandings at the Brawner Ranch in Paradise Valley. Before backpacking was popular, Roald hiked in the Absarokas as well as the Grand Canyon with his family and close friends. Roald loved to travel and he never tired of the Southwest. A big travel highlight was the photographic safari he took in Kenya and the sights in Egypt. Upon retirement, Roald's travel adventures took him ocean fishing in Alaska and deep sea fishing in Costa Rica and Mexico, up the coast of Norway in a freighter, and other family trips to warm places. At age 89, Roald took his last big family trip, fishing in Alaska. Roald also enjoyed figuring out how to solve and fix things. He designed and built the cabin's bridge two different times. After he sold Public Drug in 1982, he discovered a passion for building furniture and toys. The grandchildren have been an integral part of Roald and Carmen's lives, following them through the years to different sporting, musical, and theatrical events. They said they could never leave Livingston even in the winter as that would take them away too long from their grandchildren. Active in the Livingston community, Roald served on the school board, joined Kiwanis and Junto, and was a longtime member of American Lutheran Church. Roald was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Margit Mogen; brother, Clinton; and sisters Bernice, Evelyn, and Alice. He is survived by his wife Carmen; daughters Roxanne Hoblitt (Ritt) of Bozeman and Jonell Prather (Martin) of Missoula; son Randall Mogen (Joan) of Livingston; grandchildren Anne Linn (Patrick) of Senegal, West Africa, Jillian Hoblitt of Cheyenne, Wyo., Colin Prather of Nashville, Tenn., Ethan Prather of Cambridge, Mass., and Charlie and Olga Mogen of Livingston. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1, at 1PM at American Lutheran Church, corner of F and Lewis Streets in Livingston. Pastors Steven and Peggy Paugh Leuzinger will officiate. A celebration of Roald's life will also be held this coming summer. If so desired, memorials in Roald Mogen's name can be directed to American Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1259, Livingston, MT 59047.