Orlen Raschke

Orlen Louis Raschke was born to Louis and Eleanora (Conrad) Raschke on April 13, 1921 on a farm near Jasper, MN. In 1925, he moved with his parents to a farm near Holland, MN where he was raised and attended school. On April 2, 1943, he was united in marriage to Esther Smidt at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Edgerton, MN. Following their marriage, they lived on the farm near Holland where they farmed and raised their children. In 1983, Orlen retired from farming; and on September 10, 1990, they moved into Pipestone. Orlen and Esther moved to Ridgeview Estates in Pipestone on May 6, 2010. Since June, 2016, he and Esther shared a room at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where he died on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the age of 95 years, seven months and 20 days.

Orlen was a long-time member of St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, MN where he was baptized on May 15, 1921 and confirmed on March 25, 1934. He sang in the church choir and served as the congregational secretary and trustee. In his later retirement years he became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone, MN. Orlen was known for the gladiolas he raised, and he was quite talented at arranging them. He was an avid Minnesota Twins fan, and he enjoyed fishing and woodworking.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 73 years, Esther Raschke of Pipestone, MN; his son, Steven Raschke of San Diego, CA; his son-in-law, Delwyn (Julie) Spronk of Faribault, MN; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, Denise (Oscar) Bishop of Prior Lake, MN and their children AJ Vanderby, Shere-Ka and Yari; Shannon (Chelsy) Spronk of Rapid City, SD and their children Hannah, Brooklyn and Kennedy; Chad Spronk of Faribault, MN; a step-granddaughter, Nina (Durat) Richardson Gray; a step-grandson, Christopher (Michelle) Kellogg; and one sister, Eleanor Phelan of Meridan, ID. Orlen is also fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kathlyn Spronk; daughter-in-law, Lauren Raschke; his parents; two brothers, Arnold and Elvin Raschke; and one sister, Lorna Stueven.