Orrin Minzel

Orrin was born on December 17, 1933, in Bellingham, Minnesota, to Charles and Lydia (Hinneberg) Minzel.  Orrin served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. While proudly serving, he enjoyed traveling and exploring many sites in Europe.

Orrin met Karen Ronning on a blind date in 1956. Their blind date was arranged by mutual friends with whom they stayed in contact with throughout their lives. The couple married on September 5, 1957, in Monticello, Minnesota. Together they celebrated 61 blissful years of marriage.  Orrin and Karen began their married life in the Twin Cities. Then moving to Coon Rapids to raise their three children. In 1970, the family moved to the Carlos/Nelson area. Orrin worked full-time at Steinbrings and later at Cenex as a mechanic. While working full time he also farmed the land he so loved. Orrin collected many tractors over the years, several of which he restored. Orrin enjoyed hunting and fishing. Spring Lake was where he would take his kids and grandkids to fish because he knew fish were plentiful. He looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Mille Lacs Lake with his son and nephew, Kurt. Orrin hunted deer, moose, and pheasants in South Dakota and Wyoming. Orrin enjoyed the simple pleasures in life including driving around the area, checking on the crops, and visiting his neighbors.

In 2017, Orrin and Karen moved to Blooming Prairie, MN, to be closer to family.  Orrin and Karen were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Carlos, MN. Orrin proudly served as a Deacon and enjoyed socializing with the church's Men's Group. When his family came for visits, he eagerly invited them to church to worship with them.

Orrin Christ Minzel, age 87, formally of Carlos, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 13, 2021, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota.

Orrin is survived by his three children: Carol Minzel of Blooming Prairie, MN, Barb (Derek) Clarey of Rochester, MN, and Charles (Sarah Gower) Minzel of St. Cloud, MN. Six grandchildren; Brieanne (Jeremy) Wangen, Alieshia (Kraig) Strand, Kristen (Darr) Ehmke, Bryan Fristedt, Courtney (Jesse) Bos, and Rory (Liz) Clarey, 11 great-grandchildren and one brother.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and five siblings.

A service celebrating Orrin's life will be held on Saturday, at 10:30am at Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 16 N Douglas Ave, Carlos, MN. A visitation will be held one hour before the service.

In place of flowers, memorials can be made to Seasons Hospice, Rochester, MN or Carlos Trinity Lutheran Church.