Dean Thomas Orr, of Waupaca, age 59, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2023, at home, after a long, hard fight with cancer.
He was born in Waupaca on February 28, 1964, to the late Thomas and Betty (Axtell) Orr. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he was a lifelong member. Dean graduated from Waupaca High School in 1983 and then graduated from UW-River Falls in 1988. In college, he was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. On October 23, 1993, he married his college sweetheart, Michelle Waege. They were blessed with seven children. Dean’s passion in life was farming, specifically, raising livestock on pastures using rotational grazing. He took pride in selling quality grass-fed meat to customers. Dean loved to read books and magazines about farming and grazing. He was also a member of 4-H, FFA, FFA Alumni and WI Grazers Association. He loved working with his hands, being outdoors in the woods or doing construction projects around the farm. While raising the kids, he enjoyed driving around the farm on the gator with them and teaching them all the skills and knowledge he had gained over the years. Dean had the heart of a servant and always believed in helping neighbors and friends. Many mornings, he would be found talking with friends over a cup of coffee. In his youth, Dean enjoyed fishing, swimming, riding his bike and skiing with his brother when the farm work was done. Dean was a hard-working, god-fearing man and a loving father, husband, brother and friend.
He will be truly missed by his wife: Michelle; children: Ashley (Dietrich) Henckel, Morgan Orr, Garrett Orr, Blake (Alyssa Grant) Orr, Alexander Orr, Hayden Orr and Kendall Orr; grandchildren: Lydia, Juniper and Mason; brother: Todd (Shirley) Orr and sister: Terri Orr, and other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Linda.
The Memorial service will be on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 12 p.m. at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 1120 Eavans Street, Waupaca. The visitation will be on Friday, at the church, from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. A Celebration of Life will also be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Todd Orr’s residence, E3966 Axtell Lane, Waupaca.
Thank you to family and friends for all your support. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.