Lucille Orth

Lucille M. Orth, age 90 of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the CentraCare Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 3 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Ben Kociemba officiating and Deacon Ernie Kociemba assisting. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Christian Mothers will pray a rosary at 4 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Sunday evening.  The Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed on the church’s YouTube channel: Church of St. Mary Melrose.

Lucille Marie Meyer was born August 26,1932, in Melrose, Minnesota to Celestine and Theresa (Schroeder) Meyer. Lucille graduated from St. Francis High School in Little Falls. She married Eymard Orth on August 19, 1952. They farmed north of Melrose, dairying and then converted to raising turkeys. They had 12 children (one died in infancy) and were kept busy with huge gardens, farm chores, and country life.  Lucille delighted in serving her family home cooked meals and fresh bread.  She was a leader in Christian Women, DCCW, MCCL, 4-H, and very involved in the choir.

In 1978, Lucille flew by herself for the very first time ever, to visit her daughter, Mary in Tanzania, where she was working with Fr. Dan Ohmann and the Maryknoll Lay Missioners.

After retirement, they moved to Melrose, where they were very active at the Pine Villa chapel, leading the singing and lectoring every day for over 24 years. They are known for their huge garden and beautiful grotto in the front yard. Lucille poured her heart into her family and her community.

Survivors include her husband of 70 years, Eymard Orth of Melrose; 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 and 33 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Meyer and Jone Meyer.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Lisa Julie Orth; sisters and brothers, Sr. Cecile Meyer, O.S.F., LeRoy Meyer, infant brother, Leo Otto Meyer, Rev. Thomas Meyer, Vernon Meyer, and Sr. Bernadette Meyer, O.S.F.; sister-in-law, Katherine Meyer; and infant granddaughter, Abbey Grace Orth.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.