Craig Jon Lorntson

Craig Jon Lorntson, age 71, of Beaverton, OR, passed away on October 10, 2022. Craig was born to Henry and Mila Lorntson (Hank and Dolly), in Minot, ND, on July 3, 1951. He enjoyed working on cars and motorcycles in his younger years. He was also into bowling and participated in leagues in Minot and Glendive, MT. He also loved to go hunting, camping and fishing and in his adulthood, taught his sons those skills. Craig was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and loved to make lutefisk and lefse around the holidays, a tradition his parents passed down to him at an early age. He loved listening to his favorite music, especially Bonnie Raitt, the Beatles and Jimmy Buffet. Craig spent most of his life in ND, working for the BNSF Railroad as a locomotive electrician. He was a proud 3rd generation railroad employee and was active in his union, IBEW. He met his wife, Elaine, in Minot and they were married in 1977. In 1984 they moved to Glendive MT for his job with BNSF. He and Elaine enjoyed traveling, especially to parts of Europe. They also took many road trips around the United States. Craig was active in the Fraternal Order of the Elks while living in Glendive and was Exhalted Ruler of Lodge 1324 in 1987-88. In 1997 a position became available for him to take a job at the shop in Mandan, ND, and they moved to Bismarck that year. Craig retired from the railroad in 2011 and in 2017 they decided to make the move to OR.Craig was a proud Papa to his grandchildren. He will be remembered for his intellect, hard work ethic and love of family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ron, and parents, Hank and Dolly. Craig is survived by his wife, Elaine; his sons James (Beth) and Erik (Christina); and grandchildren Ryan, Rachel, Jace and Reid, 3 sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and several cousins.