Derald was born December 2, 1943, to Clarence and Irene (Haugen) Reno in Terry, Montana. He passed away Thursday, November 5th at Sidney Health Center of pancreatic cancer.

He was raised in Terry with his brother Bill and sisters Frances and Geraldine. He attended school and graduated with the class of 1962. He received his welding certification from Hansen Trade School in Fargo, ND.

On March 26, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart Vivian (Strobel) in Terry. Together, they were blessed with two daughters, Raquel and Michelle.

One of his first jobs was working for Johnson Water Well Service in Terry and that experience sparked an interest in pursuing his career further into drilling deeper to find oil. His career in the oil drilling industry took him to many areas throughout the Rocky Mountains, including Edmonton, Alberta. He drilled nuclear waste disposal wells in Washington, geothermal wells in Nevada and California, and oil and gas wells in Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. He ended his career drilling horizontal wells in the Bakken fields of Montana and North Dakota. He retired as a drilling consultant after 47 years in the industry.

Derald enjoyed reading, watching sports and rodeos, and fly fishing in the Big Horn Basin. He also enjoyed riding his Gold Wing motorcycle, attending his Class of 1962 reunions, and, most of all, being there to support and watch his children participate in their activities. In later years, he enjoyed traveling with his 5th wheel, bicycling, and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events. He looked forward to his 5 a.m. coffee group at Sunny’s. He spent several years restoring his tangerine pearl 1951 Chevy and earned a few trophies at car shows. Derald and Vivian spent 18 years traveling to Arizona City for the winter months. He enjoyed playing Bocce Ball, mini golf, trap shooting and just chatting on the patio. Derald was a member of Ebenezer Congregational Church and held positions of trustee and deacon.
Derald is survived by his wife of 60 years, Vivian Reno; two daughters, Raquel Morast (Darrin) and Michelle Kovash (Scott); four grandchildren, Jade Morast, Zoey Morast, Hannah Johnson (Payton), and Jack Kovash; and one great-granddaughter, Evelyn Johnson. He is also survived by his sister, Geraldine Klunder; sisters-in-law, Verna Glanville, Virginia Stickel, Darlene Strobel, and Vera Sackman; brother- and sister-in-law, Kenny and Karen Strobel; and many treasured nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Irene; his parents-in-law, Ludwig and Emma Strobel; his brother, Bill Reno; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Frances and Hank Thoeny and Violet and Reiny Straub; brother-in-laws Charles Klunder, Ron Cole, Reuben Stickel, Darwin Strobel, and Lyle Sackman; nephews Troy Klunder, Waylon Reno, and Dave Straub.

Memorial Contribution