Orlin W. Island

Orlin W. Island, 91, of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, April 21, 2013, at the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, Minnesota.

He was born June 26, 1921 on the home place just outside of Elbow Lake, Minnesota, the son of Louis and Alma (Christopherson) Island. He grew up and went to school helping on the farm.

On November 3, 1943, he married Bette Brown at Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Church near Dalton, Minnesota. They had two children, Barbara and Darrell. They farmed in the Elbow Lake area for a few years. Then he worked for Christianson Shervey Equipment driving truck. They later moved to the Twin Cities where he worked at the Twin City Arsenal and Federal Cartridge in Anoka until his retirement.

Orlin and Bette loved to camp and travel every chance they had. They wintered in Brownsville, Texas until Bette’s health deteriorated. He enjoyed playing Bingo, and loved to dance and spend time with family and friends. Orlin played pool at the Senior Center every day he could after Bette’s death. He always had a big smile and loved to talk with everyone. He was a wonderful guy to friends and family.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Louis and Alma, brothers, Clifford, Lloyd, Roy, and twin brother Norlin, his wife Bette in 2002, a son-in-law Kenwood Nelson, and a great-great-grandson, Aaron Nelson.

Survivors include his daughter, Barbara Nelson of Fergus Falls; son, Darrell (Pat) Island of Elk River; sister, Gloria Lee of Barrett; grandchildren: Kimberly (Bill) Davis of Elbow Lake, Rick (Kim) Nelson of Tallahassee FL, David Nelson of South St. Paul, Dean (Lynne) Nelson of Prior Lake, Ronda (Eric) Swenson of South St. Paul, and Derek (Heather) Island of Norfolk VA; 12 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the funeral home
Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2013 at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Tom Junkert
Interment will be at a later date at Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Dalton