The Funeral Service for Orrin J. Bye of Albert Lea will be held Tuesday at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Dan Baker and The Rev. Jay Dahlvang will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea Veteran’s Organizations.
Visitation be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before services at the church.
Orrin James was born on Nov. 15, 1932, in Lake Mills, Iowa, the son of Emil and Alma (Laugen) Bye. He was a 1950 graduate of Emmons High School. Orrin served our country in the U.S. Army from Feb. of 1953 until his honorable discharge in Feb. of 1955. He received the rank of Corporal.
In 1955, Orrin married Louise Runden, who died shortly after daughter Jane was born. He married Beverly R. Swenson on July 18, 1959, at the Little Brown Church. To this union, son Jim was born. Bev preceded Orrin in death in 1998. On Oct. 20, 2006 Orrin married Maxine Bonnerup.
Orrin had been an employee of Wilson & Co. from 1950 until 1974. From 1974 until his retirement in 1988, he was a business agent for the United Food and Commercial Workers.
Orrin was a member of First Lutheran Church and also enjoyed attending the activities of Salem Lutheran Church with wife Maxine.
He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, the D.A.V. and the Eagles Club.
Where people were is where Orrin wanted to be. He thrived on relationships and conversations and he made sure that he shared his life with his family and friends. One of his biggest passions was car shows. This allowed him to enjoy the fellowship as well as share his enthusiasm in restoring and showing antique cars.
Orrin died on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
He is survived by his wife Maxine; son, Jim Bye; and his wife Jennifer of Matawan; grandchildren Kelli Ackerman of Plymouth, Jay Ackerman of New Brighton, Crystal Bye of New Hope, Monica and Travis Bye of Matawan; son-in-law Tim (Susan) Ackerman of Albert Lea; step children Lori Currier of Minneapolis, JoAnn (Jon) Behle of rural Alden, Doug (Jodi) Bonnerup of Albert Lea, Jean (Duane) Epland of Twin Lakes; step grandchildren Jolene (Shane) Babcock, Joel Behle, Rachel (Casey) Dressen, Amanda Epland, Spencer, Judd, Blair and Brandon Bonnerup, Mesa Berry and several step great-grandchildren; brother Clifford Bye of Mankato and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Louise in 1958, wife Beverly in 1998, daughter Jane Ackerman, sisters Orpha Storby, Mavis Wilds and Lila Hauser.
Acceptance was a rule Orrin chose to live by. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those whose lives he touched.