Orrin Groff
February 22, 1936 ~ August 17, 2013
Orrin H. Groff, 77, of Walcott, ND, passed away August 17, 2013 at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living Center under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Orrin was born on February 22, 1936 to Henry and Olga (Haugen) Groff at Walcott, ND.
Orrin attended grade school in Barrie Township and graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in 1954. Following graduation, Orrin returned home to farm with his father. On August 9, 1958 he married Marlys Dierke and they continued to farm and furthered their educations. In 1968 Orrin and Marlys graduated together from Moorhead State University, each with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. After graduating Orrin taught Business Education and Industrial Arts in Arthur, ND. The highlight of Orrin’s career at Arthur was the building of the shop in the Arthur School. Orrin moved on to become the County Superintendent of Schools in Richland County for six years, then working for South Valley Special Education Unit for approximately nine years. He was especially proud of the work his students did for Wilrich Manufacturing Co. of Wahpeton, ND and Fargo Assembly of Lisbon, ND. Orrin was very proud of his nine years spent with the North Dakota Air National Guard.
Spending time with his family was a special time for Orrin, and his grandchildren were the joy of his life. He enjoyed visiting with his many friends and neighbors, and had a passion for farm auction sales! Orrin loved to build and after his retirement, together he and Marlys built a house and shop. He was known for his big smile, love of life and his persistent courage to endure his physical pain.
Orrin is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marlys, son, Orrin Douglas (Silke) Groff of St. Cloud, MN; daughter, Teresa (Sean) Roesler, Leonard, ND; son, Eric (Christina) Groff, Wyndmere, ND; and nine grandchildren, Brandon, Amanda, and Kyle Roesler; Keegan, Kailyn, and Kinlee Groff; Lexy, Brady and Emma Nelson. He is also survived by his sister, Cheryl (Galen) Lundgren of Edina, MN and sister-in-law, Jeri (Robert) Oscarson of Wahpeton, ND.
Orin was preceded in death by his father, Henry, mother, Olga and an infant sister, Shirley Ann.
Lisbon ND
My deepest sympathy, Marlys and family..We {I] have very fond memories of time spent with you and Orrin. He was such an accomplished man. I shall always remember him with a smile
Minnewaukan ND
Our sympathies to Marlys and the chldren and grandchildren.
Bismarck Marylys, Doug, Teresa. and Eric
I was very surprised to hear of your loss. I always remember Orrin smiling and teasing us but mostly singing in the morning to get Doug out of bed.
He was a great man with a good heart and I wish you all my deepest sympathy.
Moorhead MnMy deepest sympathy to Marlys and families. My first memories of Orrin go back to first and second grade at Sheyenne Central. I remember Orrin coming to pick up Marlys at the school and his wonderful smile and gentle quiet spirit.
He was a good man.
A gift to all who met and knew him.
Love,
Lucille
Lake City FloridaMarlys and family, so sorry to hear of Orrins passing. My sympathy and prayers to you and your family. I will always remember his great smile.
God Bless you and your family
Ormond Beach FloridaDear Marlys and Family,
Our prayers go out to you for the loss of Orrin. I will always remember him for his wonderful smile! Blessings to the whole family!
Minnewaukan ND
Dear Marlys and family of Orrin’s. It was so good to have met you and Orrin on a few different occasions. I won’t forget them and will remember them with joy.
Orrin took his pain so well the last time I saw him in Grand Forks at our Groff picnic. Or maybe it was at the Hallinglog in Walcott. You have my sympathy and thank you so much for your visits up in this area. Clarice Matthews
Fargo ND
Our condolences in the death of Orrin. He was a hard worker, an achiever and a friend to everyone. He always enjoyed visiting. Most of all we will remember him for his great smile, and….. Karen and Orrin were fellow Oak Grovers!
Sincerely, George & Karen Kruse living at One Oak Place in Fargo
Fargo ND
Dear Marlys, We are so sorry for the loss you must be feeling at this time. May you find comfort in knowing that many friends care about you and your family and are praying for you at this time, and may you receive comfort in knowing that Orin is in heaven with Jesus and Pain Free!
Allen & Karen
Lisbon North Dakota
Marlys & Family
We are so sorry for your loss.
Orrin always had that smile on his face. He seemed to make everyone smile around him.
You were wonderful neighbors to the Haugen’s & played a significant part in their lives.
Marlys, please don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.
Orrin can now rest in peace, free of pain in the Lord’s loving arms.
Sincerely
Dale & Rita
Prior Lake MN
My sympathy and prayers go to the family of Orrin Groff, especially Marlys, who was my teacher at Garborg School. I am grateful to have known Orrin, and I, too, remember that great smile! May God bless the entire Groff family with wonderful memories of a life of high quality, VERY well-lived.
Fargo My sympathy to the Groff family. Having grown up in Arthur, but was pretty young when Mr. Groff was out there…however due to my job did get to spend some time with Orrin (and I’m trying to think what year it may have been, greater then 3 1/2 years ago for sure) and got to visit with him at short intervals. Can’t say where it was I came in contact with him but…I found out what a special person he was. So full of kind words. Always patient with me~even if someone else distracted me and I did not get back to him right away. He was an angel on earth now gone to heaven! Heaven is now rejoicing!!!!! I was blessed to have had the chance to get to have the very little talks I did get with him. I often tell people that there is a reason I meet them, I don’t always know why but there’s some reason. In caring and sympathy, take care Groff Family
Milnor North Dakota
Our deepest sympathy to your family in the loss of Orrin. I was county superintent of Sargent at the same time he was in Richland County. I was shocked to read about his death in the Fargo Forum. Love and prayers, Elaine and George Marquette
Abercrombie North Dakota
Our deepest sympathy to the Groff family.
We are very glad we got to know Orrin and Maryls. Orrin was truly a great teacher. I learned a lot about plumbing and construction during the four years of living on the farm. Orrin was always very pleasant to work with, even though he struggled with pain daily. He worked hard everyday and always had a smile on his face.
Esmond ND
My condolences to Marlys and family for your loss of Orrin. If you don’t remember me, I met you at a couple Hallinglags and am a Groff relative.
May the Lord comfort you at this time and always.
Arlene (Friestad) Cable
Fargo ND
I’m sorry to hear of the loss of Orrin. I had the pleasure of taking care of him several times during various hospitalizations at Sanford Health. He was always smiling, despite the physical pain he was experiencing. He was always appreciative of staff and was very easy to care for because of his upbeat attitude. It was so fun to see how he and his wife communicated and how much love they had still had for each other after 55 years of marriage! Amazing! I can only hope to have the kind of love and dedication they did for each other. My deepest sympathies to the Groff family in this difficult time. I’m very sure Orrin will be deeply missed. Sending prayers your way, Bobbi A. (6South nurse)
Our sympathies to the Orrin Groff family. May your many wonderful memories help support you in you loss.
When Orrin was Richland County Superintendent of Schools, I had the honor to work with him on many work related projects. I truly enjoyed his happy personality and insight. I know how proud he was of his wife, Marlys
and his family and farm.
Virgil had the opportunity to talk to Orrin at farm related events.
We wish we would have kept in closer contact with Orrin in recent years.
Thinking of you,
Virgil and Sheryl