Orlin Fenske, age 86, of Ottertail, passed away on December 16, 2023, at Perham Living in Perham. Funeral Services were held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ottertail, with Rev. Dr. Karl Weber officiating. Congregational hymns were accompanied by Mary Weber. Pallbearers were Allen Bahnson, Jeremy Fenske, Brady Fenske, Bryce Fenske, Nick Haspel, and Austin Fenske. Honorary Pallbearers were Joshua Fenske, Bethany Schulz, Brylee Fenske, Ashley Wentzel, and Emma Bahnson. Orlin was laid to rest at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Ottertail.

Orlin Wendell Fenske was born on March 31, 1937, to Erwin and Ella (Bormann) Fenske in Perham. He was baptized on April 11, 1937, and confirmed on April 29, 1951, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ottertail. Orlin attended Perham High School, graduating with the class of 1955. Orlin enlisted in the United States Army on January 24, 1957, attended basic training at Fort Ord, California and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He was honorably discharged on January 23, 1959.

On August 26, 1961, Orlin was united in marriage to Connie Wymer at St. John’s Parsonage in Ottertail. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Allan, Brenda, Craig, and Tammy. Together they made their home in Ottertail, Minnesota where Orlin worked and later managed the Ottertail Elevator. He was also employed at Perham Co-Op (Midland) as a bulk truck driver, and Perham Feed Store. In his retirement, he was a courtesy driver at Nereson’s Chevrolet in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Orlin was a member of the Ottertail Fire Department. He was also a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he was a head usher, trustee, and a member of the school board. Orlin enjoyed woodworking, mowing the lawn, doing yard work, watching the Vikings, Twins, and Fox News. He loved spending time with his family-especially his grandchildren.

Preceding Orlin in death are his parents, Erwin and Ella; sister: LuAnn Olson; infant sister; son: Craig Fenske; daughter: Tammy Bahnson; and granddaughter: Olivia Bahnson.

Orlin is survived by his loving wife, Connie Fenske; children: Allan (Chihyon) Fenske; and Brenda (Mike) Haspel; daughter-in-law: Lainie Fenske; son-in-law: Allen Bahnson; ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother: Orville (Gladys) Fenske; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Orlin’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Belmont-Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Henning.