Larry Orpen

Larry Orpen, age 65, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Sunday, August 28, 2011, at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.Larry Oliver Orpen was born on March 10, 1946 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Oliver and Florence (Fletcher) Orpen. The family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1948, and lived there until 1951, when they moved to Fremont, Nebraska. In 1954 Larry and his parents moved to Moorhead, MN. There Larry graduated from Moorhead High School in 1964 and later graduated Moorhead State College summa cum laude in 1968. In 1971 he graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.Larry moved to Minneapolis in 1972 and had various jobs until working for Hennepin County Social Services until 1997. In 1998 he moved to Pelican Rapids area. From 2000 until 2009 Larry worked for Mahnomen County Social Services. Larry enjoyed spending time at his lake cabin, taking long walks with his dog, "Buddy", playing the accordion, reading, listening and collecting music, enjoyed flowers, and attending the local flea markets. Larry is survived by his life partner, Daniel Poepping since 1974; two sisters, Delores Smith, Fremont, Nebraska, and Betty (Denny) Patten, Fremont, Nebraska; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents.Funeral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572