Emery Gene Vigness, 85 of Alexander, ND, passed away on Friday June 11th, 2021 at his home in Alexander.

Emery was born March 18, 1936 to Louie and Gina (Villand) Vigness in Hubbard Township, Polk County, Minnesota. He grew up in a traditional Norwegian family and learned to speak English in elementary school.

Emery married Joan Due on August 22, 1959 in Willow City, ND. Emery and Joan were blessed with 17 children.

At age 16, he began his butchering career at Davidson’s Processing in Bottineau, ND. From there, he opened his own butcher shop in Towner, ND until a flood forced its closure. In 1976, Emery moved his family to Arnegard, ND and continued his butchering career at the Piggly Wiggly in Watford City. In 1980 the family moved to Alexander and Emery opened another Butcher Shop, Prairie Meats, where he provided custom cutting and butchering until he retired in 2000.

Emery was a devout Christian, deeply rooted in his faith, he cherished his family and all that the Lord blessed him with. He was very proud of his heritage and Norwegian upbringing, instilling those traditions in his own family. He had a gift of yodeling that was unforgettable to anyone fortunate enough to have heard it.

Emery is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan. His children: Bernadette (Mike) Barbula, Jody (Kate) Vigness, Jeff Vigness, James Vigness, Jerald Vigness, Lynette (Reyburn) Johnston, John Vigness, Vicki LaPierre, Jarrod (Heidi) Vigness, Mariann Clark, Jason (Sylvia) Vigness, Wayne (Tiffaney) Vigness, Michelle (Justin) Tyler, Veronica (Guy) Melby, Curtis Vigness, Chris (Kelly) Vigness, and Danielle (Dan) Lessen, 34 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren, and his sister Agnes Sund.

Emery was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 4 sisters, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.