Orin Green, 74, died Tuesday, March 22, 2005 as a result of an automobile accident, near Wadena, MN.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at United Methodist Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Phil Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 1-8 PM, on Monday, March 28, 2005, at the Johnson-Green Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the services on Tuesday at the church.

Orin J. Green was born July 1, 1930 in Newfolden, MN, the son of Olger and Agnes (Westman) Green. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He attended school and graduated from Newfolden High School in 1948. He went on to attend Moorhead State College and the University of Minnesota where he graduated from the Mortuary Science Program. He then served his internship in International Falls, Minnesota at the Green Funeral Home. This is also where he met the love of his life Marjorie Blevens. They were united in marriage on December 21, 1951 in International Falls, MN. He then served in the US Army from 1952 to 1954 spending 18 months of that time in Korea.

Orin and Marjorie made their home in Thief River Falls in 1954 when they established the Green Funeral Home with his father Olger. They operated the funeral home at 321 North Main until 1964 when they moved into a newly constructed funeral home at its current location at 420 North LaBree Avenue. Orin served countless grieving families with genuine care, compassion, and dignity throughout his years as a funeral director. Orin retired in 1991.

Orin served as Mayor of Thief River Falls from 1960-1968. He was instrumental in getting senior housing built in the city. He served on several boards, including the Board of Directors of Northern State Bank, L.B. Hartz Foundation, and Valley Home. He served as director of the Northland College Advisory Board and the Northland College Foundation. He has also served on the Police Civil Service Commission, Northwest District of the Mission Society of United Methodist Church, and was an active member of United Methodist Church, Thief River Falls. He was also a member of the Lions Club, the Thief River Falls American Legion, and the VFW. He served as the President of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association from 1970-1971. He was also the general chairman of the two Billy Graham Crusades in Thief River Falls. Orin loved to travel with his wife Marge, play golf, and spend time with his family and many close friends.

Orin is survived by wife, Marge, Thief River Falls, MN; three children: Carter (Beth), Stony Point, NY; Lori Green, West St. Paul, MN; Sarah (Terry) Lockwood, Isanti, MN, three grandchildren: Neil Lockwood, Elicia Shepard, Nick Lockwood, one sister Elayne Sandahl, Thief River Falls, MN; and nieces and nephews: Bruce (Diane) Sandahl, Neal (Lana) Sandahl, Steven (Cindy) Sandahl, Jerry (Shawn) Sandahl, Nancy Sandahl, and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by parents Olger and Agnes, and brother in law Allan Sandahl.

Memorials are suggested to: Meru Methodist University Scholarship Program, Kenya, Africa, and the Salvation Army Childrens Home in Mazatlan, Mexico, and the United Methodist Church of Thief River Falls.

ORGANIST: Rob Conwell
SOLOIST: Jane Anderson
SELECTIONS: suggested song Give Me Jesus
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Open My Eyes That I May See #454
CASKETBEARERS: Cal Lindberg, Verne Spengler, Earl Gibson, Jeff Gustafson, Bob Christiansen, Lowell Naeseth
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Gene Beito, Harold Storhaug, Phil Hess, Maynard Wedul, John Bornholdt, Tony Noel, Paul Adams, Vern Pfeifer
MILITARY HONORS: Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW Post