Eymard N. Orth, 97, of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, Nov. 12, 2024, at Cura of Melrose Care Center in Melrose.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with the Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating and Deacon Ernie Kociemba assisting. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Military honors will be by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard. All Scouts, past and present, are invited to be honorary bearers. Uniforms are encouraged but not necessary.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and 10-10:45 a.m. Nov. 21 at the church. Knights of Columbus and Catholic United Financial will pray a rosary at 4 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Nov. 20.
Eymard Nicholaus Orth was born March 8, 1927, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, to Lambert and Mary (Bromenshenkel) Orth. After school, he served in the U.S. Army. He married Lucille Meyer Aug. 19, 1952. They farmed north of Melrose, dairying and then in 1965, he transitioned into a turkey farmer, raising quality flocks for 23 years.
After retirement, they moved to Melrose in 1988, where he was active at the Pine Villa chapel, serving Mass, lectoring and doing prayer and communion services. He poured his life into defending the pro-life movement with MCCL. He campaigned for candidates who supported this cause.
Eymard was a Boy Scouts volunteer for 30 years as an assistant scoutmaster and chaplain. He started practicing karate at age 55 and received an honorary black belt degree in 2002. He enjoyed gardening and was known for his beautiful grotto in the front yard, which he built.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, Knights of Columbus Council No. 1633 and St. Bernard’s Society.
Survivors include his children, Mary (Richard) Lauer of Sauk Centre, Catherine (Dave) White of Roseland, VA, David (Linda Hinnenkamp) Orth of Melrose, Anne Orth of Becker, Joan (Shawn) Kempenich of Little Falls, Paul (Patty Berscheit) Orth of Randall, Tom (Nissa Eastvold) Orth of Oak Grove, Roseann (Jim) Engelmeyer of Freeport, Gary (JoNell Dahl) of Fargo, Steven (Michelle Beilke) Orth of Richmond and Peter (Danelle Jutz) Orth of Rogers; 42 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; sisters and brother Marian Cameron of Fargo, North Dakota, Mildred Morgel of Waite Park and Richard (Maryanne) Orth of Sauk Centre; and in-laws Edna Orth of Sauk Centre and Delores Orth of Sauk Centre.
Eymard was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lucille, June 28, 2023; his parents; infant daughter Lisa Julie Orth; siblings Walter (Lucille) Orth, Leonard Orth, Donald (Jeanette) Orth, Elmer Orth, Phillip (Dorothy) Orth and Dorothy Orth; brothers-in-law Tom Cameron and Steve Morgel; infant granddaughter Abbey Grace Orth and infant great-granddaughter Lily Amis.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
