Orlen Wallace Grams

Orlen Wallace Grams was born on July 4, 1939 in Ann Township to Ellie (Al) and Minnie (Anderson) Grams. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended country school near Vesta and graduated from Wabasso High School. Orlen entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He married Carol Hartung on May 10, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Orlen and Carol farmed by Revere and Westbrook. He began work for Farmland Industries in 1982 and remained there until his retirement in 1995. In 1987 they moved from their farm residence into the village of Westbrook. Orlen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook where he served on the church board for many years. He also served on the Westbrook School Board for 12 years, the Westbrook Utilities Commission Board and the Westbrook Township Board for several years. Orlen was very active in community service including the American Legion, the Kiwanis and Mary and Martha’s Pantry. Orlen enjoyed annual fishing trip to Nestor Falls, Canada; and he enjoyed spending time at the cabin he helped build at Whiskey Lake at Brandon, MN. His greatest enjoyment was the time spent with his family and friends. He was everyone’s “go to” guy.

Orlen entered Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on April 24, 2010. He was transferred to the Westbrook Good Samaritan Center the morning of May 10, 2010. On the morning of May 11, 2010, Orlen passed away peacefully at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 7 days.

Orlen is survived by children: Steven (Alan Nugent) Grams of Stockholm, WI, Deborah Jensen of Northeast Minneapolis, Joel (Melissa) Grams of Westbrook and Eric (Sally) Grams of Westbrook; grandchildren: Jacob (Jennifer) Grams of Browns Mills, NJ; Lindsey, Micaela and Gabriele Grams of Westbrook; great grandson Caleb; sister Evelyn (Dennis) Fullin and brother Vern (Sharon) Grams. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol, his parents, brother Robert Grams, brother Curt Grams, and grandson Lucas Grams.  

Funeral services were held with his wife Carol on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook.  Interment will be held in the Westbrook Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 13th.  The Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.