Lynn Dean Orr

Lynn Dean Orr, 92, of Orton, Alberta, loving husband to Maureen, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was born on October 10, 1928 in Macleod, Alberta to Lee King Orr and Viola Roberts, the oldest of five children. 

Lynn was raised in Orton attending the Orton School and Macleod High School. From 1947-48 and 1948-49 he attended Olds Agricultural College, in Olds, Alberta graduating at the top of his class. Lynn went on to take further courses in Agricultural Mechanics at the “Tech” in Calgary from 1949-50 and Arc Welding in 1955. 

On March 27, 1958, Lynn married Maureen Margaret McNally (Vance) in the Cardston Alberta Temple. Together they lived in Calgary, Lethbridge, and in April of 1960, moved back to Orton, Alberta where Lynn made his living farming and raising cattle. Lynn was always known as a hard worker and he had a great talent for growing anything. Never a day passed that he did not get up at 5:30 am and head out to work putting in long hours on the farm. He had a remarkable understanding of wind power and electricity, and was an avid mechanic, welder, electrician, bricklayer, plumber, and builder. He even constructed his own home and farm by himself. 

Lynn was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a 26 month mission from 1951-1953 to the Northern States including Wasau, Wisconsin and Moline, Illinois. The last six months of his mission he served in the mission office as the mission secretary. He later served two more missions with his wife, Maureen; one to the Family History Dept in Salt Lake City, Utah and the second, a proselyting/temple mission to Atlanta, Georgia. Lynn loved the gospel and served from 1962 through the bulk of his life as a ward clerk, financial clerk, stake clerk, and as a trainer of clerks to many bishops and stake presidents. He was an example of living honestly, having integrity, showing kindness, and giving all he had to help those in need.

Lynn had a contagious smile and was always happy. His humor was off the charts and he spent his life laughing. He was always fun to be around and loved spending time with his friends and family. He never was around a person that didn’t quickly become his friend. He just loved people and always saw the good in them.

Lynn was a meticulous detailed record keeper. He loved the history of the Orton area, the people who immigrated there, and its beginnings. He had beautiful handwriting and wrote many historical writings, kept documents, and did many recordings about this area and its origins. He often would quote poems and sayings. He loved to dance and was always caught humming a tune which all stemmed from his early years in Orton. 

Besides his loving wife, Maureen, he is survived by his children, Bernard Lloyd Orr of Raymond, Alberta, Norma Jean Orr of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Lori LaRee Orr Thomas (Bryan) of Orem, Utah and Joanne Rae Orr Briggs (Jon) of Bountiful, Utah, as well as ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Shirley Genille Poulson of Provo, Utah and Anona Irene Gardner of Bountiful, Utah.

Lynn is preceded in death by his parents, Lee King Orr and Viola Roberts, his son, Darren Lynn Orr, his granddaughter, Janelle Frances Harris, his great granddaughter, Paetyn Lynn Thomas, as well as his siblings, Nelda Arthel Walburger and Reed Blair Orr.

Friends and family are invited to visit with the family on Friday evening, October 15 from 7:00-8:00pm at the Fort Macleod LDS Church, 643 20th Street, Fort Macleod, Alberta. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Fort Macleod LDS Church. Following the service, interment will be in the Orton Cemetery.

 For those unable to attend, live streaming of the service will be available as a link, and will appear below this obituary, on the website at 10:45 a.m. the morning of the service.

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