Orrin Blekeberg

Orrin Blekeberg, age 90, of Ridgeway, IA, died on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at the Patty Elwood Center, in Cresco, IA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Madison Lutheran Church with Rev. Bryan Robertson presiding. Burial will be in the Madison Cemetery, Decorah, IA. Friends may call from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Saturday morning. Orrin Arnold Blekeberg was born on December 12, 1920, the son of Amund and Olga (Halvorson) Blekeberg, on the family farm near Ridgeway, IA. Orrin was baptized and confirmed at the Madison Lutheran Church in Norwegian. He attended country school near his home and then farmed alongside his father in Madison Township, until 1957. Orrin then drove semi for Brown Transfer of La Porte City, IA and for Platte Trucking, of Denver, IA, until 1964. Orrin married Helen Lund on June 24, 1962, in Viroqua, WI. In 1964, Orrin and Helen moved to the home farm, where Orrin farmed and did custom silo filling. In 1992, they moved off of the farm and into Ridgeway. Orrin kept his truck and trailer from the farm and he started hauling hogs and cattle to and from area Sale Barns. Orrin really loved what he did, as well as visiting with all people throughout the years at the Sale Barn. Orrin enjoyed playing cards, especially 500. He was a former member of the Madison Lutheran Church and a current member of the Decorah Lutheran Church. Orrin’s survivors include his wife: Helen Blekeberg, Ridgeway, IA. Three sisters-in-law: Irene Buschkopf, Juneau, WI; Esther (Gaylord) Dolphin, Onalaska, WI; and Roberta Blekeberg, Decorah, IA, along with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Three special friends: Kathy Schrader, Decorah, IA; Jody Kuennen, Festina, IA; and Brad Linderbaum, Ridgeway, IA. Orrin was preceded in death by his parents: Amund and Olga Blekeberg. One brother: Wallace Blekeberg on Nov. 30, 2006. Two sisters: Hazel (Vernon) Herman in 1990 and Marcella (Orville) Smorstad in 1997. One brother-in-law: Robert Buschkopf.