Obituary for Merle M. Orr
Merle M. Orr
January 7, 1927 - June 16, 2020
Merle M. Orr left this earth on the afternoon of June 16 at Evergreen Nursing Home. She was born on January 7, 1927, in Alamosa to Mural J. "Bud" Nissen and Helen Fackler Nissen.
She spent most of her life in Alamosa with the exception of some time in San Francisco during World War II. The days spent in San Francisco were some of Merle's best memories. She returned home and graduated from Alamosa High School in 1945. It was during that time in high school that she first laid eyes on a young athlete and student named Spud Orr. The two were married on March 16, 1946, a union that lasted 58 years until his death in 2004.
Two children were born to this union; a son, Lawrence G. "Hoot" Orr, and a daughter, Rebecca.
When Rebecca started first grade, Merle enrolled in Adams State College, taking a few classes each quarter. Eight years later, when her son graduated from high school in 1965, Merle graduated from ASC with a BA in education. She began her teaching career the next fall at Monte Vista High School teaching business classes. Along with teaching, she began working on her masters at ASC; and when her daughter graduated from high school in 1969, Merle received her masters' degree.
In the early 80's, both she and her husband retired and began spending the winters in Mesa, Arizona, and the rest of the year in Alamosa. Those were happy, relaxing days for both.
Family always came first for Merle; and she leaves her daughter, Rebecca (Russell) Seymour of Angel Fire NM, her granddaughter, Stacey (Eric) Crouser of Highlands Ranch CO, and her grandson, Rusty (Brooke) Seymour of Sacramento CA. She is also survived by four great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lawrence E. "Spud" Orr, and her son, Lawrence G. "Hoot" Orr.
Cremation has been chosen, and a graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lawrence E. "Spud" Orr Scholarship Fund at Adams State University.
January 7, 1927 - June 16, 2020
Merle M. Orr left this earth on the afternoon of June 16 at Evergreen Nursing Home. She was born on January 7, 1927, in Alamosa to Mural J. "Bud" Nissen and Helen Fackler Nissen.
She spent most of her life in Alamosa with the exception of some time in San Francisco during World War II. The days spent in San Francisco were some of Merle's best memories. She returned home and graduated from Alamosa High School in 1945. It was during that time in high school that she first laid eyes on a young athlete and student named Spud Orr. The two were married on March 16, 1946, a union that lasted 58 years until his death in 2004.
Two children were born to this union; a son, Lawrence G. "Hoot" Orr, and a daughter, Rebecca.
When Rebecca started first grade, Merle enrolled in Adams State College, taking a few classes each quarter. Eight years later, when her son graduated from high school in 1965, Merle graduated from ASC with a BA in education. She began her teaching career the next fall at Monte Vista High School teaching business classes. Along with teaching, she began working on her masters at ASC; and when her daughter graduated from high school in 1969, Merle received her masters' degree.
In the early 80's, both she and her husband retired and began spending the winters in Mesa, Arizona, and the rest of the year in Alamosa. Those were happy, relaxing days for both.
Family always came first for Merle; and she leaves her daughter, Rebecca (Russell) Seymour of Angel Fire NM, her granddaughter, Stacey (Eric) Crouser of Highlands Ranch CO, and her grandson, Rusty (Brooke) Seymour of Sacramento CA. She is also survived by four great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lawrence E. "Spud" Orr, and her son, Lawrence G. "Hoot" Orr.
Cremation has been chosen, and a graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lawrence E. "Spud" Orr Scholarship Fund at Adams State University.