Orin and Marge moved to Thief River Falls in 1954, when Orin and his father, Olger, purchased a funeral home. Orin operated the funeral home until his retirement in 1992. Orin served as the Thief River Falls mayor from 1960-1968, and became a member of the Police Civil Service Commission in 1972. Orin had an impact on many people’s lives from helping a neighbor, providing a listening ear, or financial help with medical bills.
Orin and Marge were active in their church, where Orin often provided a voice of reason when it was needed. Their three children Carter, Lori, and Sarah, all graduated from Lincoln High School. Orin and Marge enjoyed spending time as volunteers at Challenger Elementary School.
Orin passed away in 2005. The students at Challenger Elementary planted a tree in his memory.