Orren Charles Granquist was born on April 14, 1938, at the Grantsburg Hospital in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, to Oscar T. and Elvina E. (Carlson) Granquist. He passed away on March 16, 2025 at the Continuing Care Center in Grantsburg.

Orren grew up in the Trade River area. He attended the one-room rural Trade River elementary school and graduated from Grantsburg High School in 1956. He attended Sunday School and confirmation at the Trade River church.

Orren was drafted into the United States Army in 1961. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas where he served until honorably discharged in 1963. While in the Army, he trained and worked in the motor pool. After discharge, Orren returned to Wisconsin to live, and worked with his father harvesting lumber, pulpwood, and logs.

Orren really liked socializing and visited with many of the Anderson Township residents during his 40 years as a maintenance worker for the Township, maintaining roads, equipment, and plowing snow. His social side came out at the Sterling Township Old Settlers Picnics, the Continuing Care Center, even at the grocery store!

Orren valued outdoor activities. In his younger years, he liked to hunt deer. He enjoyed fishing during the summer but especially ice fishing as he could visit with other people while doing so. Orren was a gardener at heart and was proud of the large watermelons he grew. He always raised a good crop of potatoes. Scouting and picking wild blueberries was a favorite summer activity.

Orren is survived by his sister, Beverly Cambronne; nephews Kevin (Mary Kay) Cambronne, Craig (Sandra) Cambronne, David (Regina) Woodruff; step-nephew Ted Haupt; nieces Kelly (Zac) Smeltzer, Tracy (Robert) Day, Carol Woodruff, and Linda (Chris) Jensen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Betty Lou and husband Wayne Woodruff, Barbara and husband Dennis Haakenson; brothers Orville Granquist and wife Estelle, and Raymond Granquist; and brother-in law Gerald Cambronne.

A visitation will be held on Saturday May 3rd, 2025 at Trade River Evangelical Church, 20296 State Hwy 87, Grantsburg, WI, from 1pm until the time of memorial service at 2pm.

Last Update: Mar 23, 2025 1:18 pm CDT