Oran Lien

Oran Ralph Lien died peacefully at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, surrounded by family and friends. He fought a valiant battle against leukemia to the end. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Christian Life Center in Missoula.

Oran was born in Great Falls, MT on September 22, 1939 to Karl and Viola Lien. The addition of his sister Karen then made their family complete. He grew up mostly in Missoula where he made lifelong friends, particularly Bob Knoof and Danny Fix. Together they were the Three Caballeros.

He graduated in 1957 from Missoula County High School where he ran the mile in track. He was in the Army Reserves. He worked as a pinsetter at the old Liberty Lanes. He married Sandy Olson on June 17, 1961. They had two daughters: Sherri (1963) and Tammy (1966). He worked at White Pine and Hoerner Waldorf.

In 1976, Oran and four partners bought Five Valley's Bowl, years later purchasing Liberty Lanes as well, with more partners. He managed or co-managed both at different times for many years. He enjoyed traveling all over Montana to go to the Bowling Proprietors Association conventions. After selling the bowling alleys, he drove a flower truck and then delivered rental cars.

While all those things describe what he did in life, they can't capture who he was. He built a trailer court on Third Street with no more than a shovel, sweat and determination. He bought another trailer court when a sale of the bowling alleys fell through as a way of making ends meet. He learned to fly and bought part ownership in a plane. He built an office building and traded commodities there for years. He watched the price of gold all the time. Kids thought he was Santa Claus. Adults thought he was Kenny Rogers. In Vegas, the comedians would pick on him about his three daughters. He bought land in Hawaii, drew up the plans for a house, sent all the building materials over in a shipping container, then vacationed at that house for many years with his wife until deciding to sell it. He took his family on wonderful trips, particularly a 1976 camper trip around the U.S., Disney World, Hawaii, and an awesome time in Fiji. He bowled two perfect 300 games and made a hole-in-one in golf. He was inducted into the Montana Bowling Hall of Fame. He was a proud Norwegian and Sons of Norway member. He liked Montana History so he studied it and shared what he knew with others. He was an excellent cook and shared that talent with the people he cared about by hosting Viking parties, cooking prime rib or filet mignon for family, or the many breakfasts for loved ones. But even those things can't capture who he was.

Oran was an outside-of-the-box thinker. He was generous and kind. He was a good man. He cared about and was interested in other people. He loved his bowling friends. He loved his golfing friends. He loved his fellow drivers. However you knew him, you know he cared about you. He loved his extended family. He loved his kids and grandkids. He especially loved his wife, Sandy.

Oran is survived by his wife Sandy, daughter Sherri Lien, daughter Tammy (Ron) Managhan, grandson Alec (Emily) Managhan, granddaughter Anna (Ryan) Managhan Miller and great grandson Asher Miller, sister Karen Meyers, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

His memorial service will be in the spring, time and place to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to a charity of your choice.