Orris Myran

Orris Thelmer Myran of Hawley, Minnesota, passed away March 15, 2021, at Eventide on Eighth in Moorhead, Minnesota. Orris was born in Hawley, MN on September 24, 1928, to his parents, Oscar and Clara Selina (Berg) Myran. They lived on the Myran farm in Parke Township where Orris attended country school until 2nd grade when they moved to town. He graduated from high school in 1946. He enlisted in the Army and served with the occupation forces in Beppu, Kyushu, Japan. He returned to the States and attended school for machine drafting at the Design Institute in Chicago, IL. Orris returned to Hawley and worked for Mickelson’s Body Shop and then the Clay County Highway Engineer’s office. In 1960, he started at Sellin Brothers Construction and retired as a foreman in 1994.

Orris met the love and best friend of his life, Karen Thorne, at Big Cormorant Lake. They were next-door neighbors for years, and as Karen tells the story, their first date was water skiing. They were married on June 16th, 1957 at Eksjo Lutheran Church in Lake Park, MN. They had three children, Kim, Jon, and Erica. They enjoyed 61 years of love and adventure together.

Orris loved the outdoors and spent much of his life hunting with cousins and friends, chopping wood, bicycling, water and snow skiing, sailing, kayaking and walking. He was a friend and provider of nourishment to all animals. He enjoyed visiting with friends and relatives. He was a skilled craftsman and designed and built sailboats, spark sleds, model ships and airplanes, cross bows, cabinets, doll and bird houses, tools and toys and numerous remodeling projects. He was also a great storyteller. In the summers, after a day of sailing or kayaking, he could be found napping in the hammock at Big Cormorant. He enjoyed sharing his paper airplane building skills with his grandkids, along with helping them with art and craft projects or making krumkake. He preferred suspenders over belts, and kept himself warm during MN winters with his wood stove, fur hat, long underwear, homemade fur vest, and a good pair of leather choppers.

Orris is survived by his children, Kim Myran (Bill Conradt) of Seattle, WA, Jon Myran of Colorado Springs, CO, and Erica (Steve) Fransen of Boise, ID; and two grandchildren, Annika and Karl Fransen. Orris was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Selina; and his wife, Karen.

For those wishing to make a memorial gift, suggestions are Hawley Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Red River Valley.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a time to share memories and stories starting at 7:00, at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 30, at 11:00 A.M. at Hawley Lutheran Church, Hawley. Burial will be at Hawley Cemetery.