Orrin E. Skunes passed away at St. Peters Hospital on January 23, 2016. Orrin was born on Halloween 1930 to Edwin and Tillie Moen Skunes in Warren, Minnesota. He attended Burnside Country grade school and Warren High School. During high school Orrin and his brothers worked at their mothers Drive Inn restaurant where he met his future wife Emily Kemp.
After graduating from high school, Orrin joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea where he was wounded in battle. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Orrin returned to Minnesota where he married Emily Kemp on September 21, 1953. They resided in Argyle, Minnesota where he owned the Hardware store. In February 1955 his only child Cynthia was born. In the summer of 1963, his hardware store was severely damaged by fire. Without sufficient insurance to rebuild, Orrin and his family relocated to Helena, Montana where he worked as a Manager at Power Townsend until 1972. Orrin then worked for Johnson Builders for several years before opening his own construction company Skunes Construction, also known as Old Farts Construction. During his construction years, he built numerous duplexes, fourplexes, and homes in Helena and East Helena area.
Orrin and Emily spent countless hours with friends and family at their cabin on Canyon Ferry Lake. Upon his “retirement” from construction, Orrin and Emily took special pleasure in traveling the world together. But to avoid Emily’s honey-do list when they were at home, Orrin purchased and renovated homes throughout the area. Having the cabin restricted their travel, so they sold it in the early 1990s, and began spending winters in Arizona, traveling back to Helena during Christmas to spend the holidays with the family and then returning back to Arizona until around April.
Orrin’s greatest pride in life was his family which included his special grandchildren and his “greats” as he called his four great grandchildren.
Orrin is preceded in death by his wife Emily, Parents Edwin and Tillie, sister Fern and brothers Harold and Darrell.
Orrin is survived by a daughter, Cindy (Jerry) Steinmetz; two grandchildren, Amber (Ty) Lamping and their children, daughters, Ashlyn and Madilyn and son, Connor; Josh (Amy) Steinmetz and their son, Dylan; a brother Lee (Maxine) Skunes, two sister in laws and numerous nieces and nephews.
Orrin often said that Minnesota was a great place to be from, but Helena was truly his home. His love for God, family and the outdoors will never be forgotten.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the St. Peter’s medical and surgical floors for the wonderful care and compassion they provided to Orrin and his family during his final month.
Per Orrin’s request only graveside services will be held. Burial will take place at Fort Harrison Montana State Veterans Cemetery on Friday January 29th at 11:00 a.m. with full military honors. All friends and family are welcome. Reception will be held following interment at Our Redeemers Lutheran church, 3580 N. Benton Ave., Helena.
Lee and Maxine Skunes says
Good Bro and friend prayers to Cindy and family.
Lyle & Norita Beaudry says
Many good times with Orrin & Emily when they lived in Argyle. Our sympathy to all.
STEVE WONG says
very sad to here Orin has checked out. We spent many years playing poker on Monday nights. Orin was a great player and we all shared so much more than just a game of poker! Condolences to his family.
Al and Shirley Hansen says
We visited often on our trips to Arizona. Our trip on the train to Silverton from Durango will alway be a special memory of the good time we had withUncle Orin and aunt Emmy. We send Our love and prayers to the family.
Elton Family says
My family and I would like to express our deepest sympathy over the loss of Mr. Skunes.
May you find comfort in your loving memories and the warmth of family and friends. A scripture that has uplifted many who have experienced such a loss, is found at Revelation 21:4. There it describes a time when death and pain will be gone forever. We will even see our loved ones again who we have lost in death (John 5:28 & 29). It is our hope that these words bring you a measure of comfort during this difficult time as well. Once again, please accept our condolences as you deal with your loss.
abigail kings says
May your family and friends find comfort in God’s promise to “swallow up death forever… and wipe away the tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8). Along with the promise of a time soon when ‘no resident’ will say “i am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). “Remember the resurrection hope for both righteous and unrighteous” (Acts 24:15). My sincere condolences to your family.