Roger Hartung

Roger Howard Hartung was born to Howard and Emily (Nieman) Hartung on Aug. 21, 1939, in St. Paul, Minn. He was the oldest of four children.

Roger was raised on a dairy farm in Woodbury, Minn., where he developed a love for tractors and horses (or at least pulling things with them). He particularly loved a black and white paint stallion he had named Dynamite.

He married Dorothy Mae Moris on Aug. 29, 1959, and they had four children (Mark, Kevin, Dionne and Dan) before leaving Minnesota in 1975 for Montana. They lived for two years in Big Timber where Roger worked for two ranches before purchasing a dairy farm in Moiese in 1977. He named one of the dairy cows Trans Am because she kicked so hard and fast when he hooked her up to the milking machine.

Roger would live there the rest of his life with Dorothy.

Roger enjoyed boating in his early years especially on the Mississippi River and later riding ATVs in both Yuma, Ariz., where he and Dorothy wintered and at home in Moiese.

Roger loved farming and helped Dan on the farm as long as he was able (only with hydraulics or diesel power – no more of that manpower he grew up using).

Roger died peacefully at home with his wife, Dorothy, son Dan and daughter Dionne comforting and taking care of him.

Roger is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Dorothy Hartung; children Mark Hartung (Leslie), Kevin Hartung, Dionne Knutson (Dave) and Dan Hartung (Cathe); siblings Lauren Hartung, Wayne Hartung (Debbie) and Dorothy Marty; sisters-in-law, Jeannette Shingledecker (Neil), Elaine Ludolph (Butch) and Marcy Carpenter; grandchildren Mike Parmeter, Sarah Schommer, Collette Hartung, Wayne Hartung, Naomi Hartung, Devi Lamey, Tara Hartung, Cloy Hartung, Luke Hartung, Travis Hartung and Mercedes Hartung; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other extended family; and close family friends Sam Richter and Rudi Camacho. 

Roger is preceded in death by his mother and father, three brothers-in-law (Dean Peterson, Pete Shoenberg and Tom Marty), two sisters-in-law (Betty Shoenberg and Diane Hartung) and a grandson (Wyatt Hartung).

A special thanks to Dr. Perret for being so kind and generous with his time at the end of Roger’s life.

In honor of Roger, please always “go straight around”and take life “steady by jerks.” A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 15, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Roger and Dorothy’s home in Moiese.