Orin L. Gumbrill
June 16, 2011
Orin Louis Gumbrill passed away peacefully on June 16, 2011. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 19, 2011, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home at 2 p.m.
Orin Gumbrill was born on September 8, 1931, in Minneapolis, MN. After proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force in California, he raised a family in Minneapolis. He had a long career in the paper industry and worked as a salesman for Tension Envelope, Leslie Paper, and International Paper. Orin moved to Iowa where he met his second wife, Sandra Allen, and they resided in Des Moines. Orin’s life was centered around his family, friends, and his love of golf and his bride’s cooking. He was passionate about world affairs and loved to travel to new and exciting places.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Irene Gumbrill; his mother-in-law, Wilma Allen; his granddaughter, Tori Vienneau and great grandson, Dean Springstube.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy; sister, Carmen (Don) Conlin of Stillwater, MN; children, Jodi (Myron) Mickelson of Pensacola, FL, Steven Gumbrill of Minneapolis, Jon (Naomi) Gumbrill of Maple Grove, MN, Dayna (Roy) Herroz of San Diego, CA, Laura Hildman of Minneapolis, Corine (Gary) Paulson of Apple Valley, MN, Pam Jondle of Des Moines and Lisa (Scott) Hergenreter of Greeley, CO. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Veteran’s Administration.
Online condolences may be sent at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Jodi Gumbrill Mickelson
06/28/2011
It is so comforting to read the wonderful messages left here on Hamilton's website and also those on Legacy.com. Dad had amazing friends and family throughout his life and we are all so blessed to have known that but to also hear from so many of you at his passing. Everyone's kind words mean more than one can say. I would also like to thank everyone at Hamilton's for the wonderful service they helped us put together on Father's Day. David Pruitt found the perfect minister for us and Dad would have loved the great tributes to him (all the while protesting that we get off this morbid subject and turn to something else!). The whole staff did an outstanding job and we can't thank them enough for the fitting Father's Day send-off to the best father we all miss and love so much. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Becky Peterson and her staff at Regency Care Center. There is a reason God sent him there because they were all so wonderful to Dad and to us. He was able to leave this world the way we would all like to - in a loving environment, surrounded by family and friends, and taken care of in respect to comfort. While at Dad's bedside and during the wee hours of the morning when sleep wasn't an option for me, so many of Regency's "angels" took care of us and I thank them all, especially Cami, who was with us at Dad's passing. Orin Louis Gumbrill left this world knowing he was loved and cared for and he went as peacefully as possible -what more can one ask? His oldest daughter, Jodi, is eternally grateful to everyone that made that possible and to everyone's kind words.
Mary Dinsdale
06/21/2011
I was so surprised and saddened to see Orin's picture in the paper in the obituaries. I worked on many commercials with Orin over the years,from dancing in the water sprinkler for Southridge Mall to admiring his birthday cake in a Wellmark brochure! He was always cast as "my husband". He was so talented, so professional, easy to act with, and the nicest person I ever worked with! I will dearly miss him. My condolences to all of you at this sad time. He will never be forgotten.
Susan Stewart
06/21/2011
To the Gumbrill family and loved ones,
I was a customer of Orin's back in his days with Leslie Paper and remember his visits fondly. He always had a joke or story to entertain and was good at his job as well! I even have a breakfast scrambled egg with mushroom recipe he shared from Sandy in my recipe box. He spoke lovingly of his family and was generous with his advice regarding the struggles we met in our attempt to keep a small town newspaper thriving. His sales calls were more than just about the order, they were about him sharing his expertise and knowledge in order to make our business decisions easier and more profitable.
As long as Orin has loved ones (and customers) that remember him with respect, appreciation and affection, he will always be with us. His place in your hearts will never dim as long a you remember the warm and loving man he was.
Respectfully,
Susan Stewart
formerly of Orange City
Mary Reilly
06/20/2011
So sorry for your loss Cori.
Becky Peterson
06/20/2011
Although we only knew your father, husband, and friend a few days, we felt blessed to be a part of his life. He made a huge impact on all of us and he was so lucky to have such a wonderful loving family. May God bless all of you at this time and may you celebrate the amazing life you made with him.
With all of our love,
Becky Peterson RN/Director of Nursing at Regency Care Center
Jimmy Burns
06/20/2011
West High'49. Orin and I grew up together in high school. Wonderful times then we enlisted in the service together: USAF in 1950. Split up to different bases, he in California, I went all over! One of my great memories of Orin is when I came back from Guam, I landed at Travis Air Force base and Orin met me. He took me to pick up my civilian clothes from my duffel bag and then we went across the bridge to San Francisco!!! We immediately preceeded to several high class saloons, Candy Jax's free food for active GI's. Onward to a bar that had ceiling prices on the ceiling, to Earthquake McGoon's, then to a very gay bar where the bartender gave us a rough time because we refused glasses for our beer. After a few additional stops we headed back to the base at 1:30AM. As we got nearer to the BIG BRIDGE, a CA Highway Patrol stopped us to tell us they were closing the bridge because of the wind. No more cars could cross! After my sad story that I would be AWOL if I missed my plane, the officer allowed Orin & I to drive across the bridge. We got back just in time to catch my C47 to New Mexico. But what a night we had (and morning too)!
Last time I saw Orin was at West High's 60th reunion, had lunch together and lots of reminiscing of old times and days & nights long ago.
We've lost a lot of wonderful friends over the years and while we didn't always keep in touch I have great memories of times together! I shall miss you, Orin!!
Lyle Mumm
06/20/2011
I own Economy Print & Graphics in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Orin was my first paper salesman (Leslie Paper) when I opened my shop in 1979. Every Monday morning at 8:30, Orin would show up to accept my paper order. I didn't know anything about papers, and Orin was always more than willing to help me all the time. Over a period of several years, we became good friends, and I can honestly say that I enjoyed knowing Orin, and dealing with him more than any salesman since.
My favorite story about Orin is one time when we walked down to the local cafe for some coffee and b.s. Orin always marveled at the how I knew "everyone in town" even though I was brand new in the printing business. This particular time, while walking back, Orin noticed a particularly seedy looking black man walking toward us on the sidewalk. Discretely, Orin whispered, "Well, Lyle, here is one person who I'll bet is not an acquaintance of yours". Unfortunately for Orin, he happened to be Paul Watts, a person who cleaned up cars for the car dealership I had previously worked for - and of course once we got close, I played up my friendship with Paul to the hilt - although I'm sure that even Paul wondered why I was suddenly so friendly.
As we continued our walk back to my shop, I looked over at Orin, and he wouldn't even return the look - he just continued shaking his head over and over.
My sympathy to his family. He was a great guy!
Charlie and Bonnie Miller
06/20/2011
Sandy,
We want to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time, and was shocked seeing it in the paper, but glad it was there so we could touch base with you again.
You take care and know that prayers are with you.
Your "Ole" friends back in Fort Dodge,
Bonnie and Charlie Miller
1358 Meadow Lane
Fort Dodge, Ia 50501
millertime2@frontiernet.net
Mike and Jan Hayes
06/19/2011
Dear Sandy,
We were saddened to hear of the death of Orin. We are so sorry, you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Orin was always an interesting, caring, and fun person to be around. We will always remember the trips to Minnesota to watch the Vikings with you and Orin's old friends at Land O Lakes. The golf games, the work at Leslie Paper,
and all the fun times we enjoyed.
We are so sorry for your loss. Orin will be missed by his friend, business associates, and all of us who had the good fortune to have known him. May God bless you and your family in this most difficult time.
Ron & Barb Pauly
06/18/2011
We were very shocked and saddened to learn about Orin's passing.
We both will remember Orin and all the laughs we shared as a foursome
in those couples tournaments at the Ft. Dodge Country Club, better known as
the Divorce Open. Amazingly we all returned year after year for more couples
fun.
Sandy we know there are no words to take the pain away, but know all your friends are thinking about you and Orin.
Rest in peace Orin, you will be missed.
James Cornick
06/18/2011
Goodbye good friend and golfing mate. We will miss you immensely. The infamous red dot, green dot, black dot and blue dot that marked your ball will long be remembered as a trademark of Orin. He was always a good sport and was full of fun stories. He was a tough competitor in all that he did. He loved his family so very much and there never was any doubt about it. He loved the game of golf and played it by the rule book. I'll never forget when I first started playing golf with Orin, now and then I would change balls on the green to put with a clean ball. He called me on it and from that day forward I never changed balls on the green again! A stickler for the rules he was always.
Though we hate to lose Orin, he would have been very unhappy to have been confined to a bed in a nursing home. He had great pride and dignity and wouldn't want to be a burden on anyone. So, goodbye good friend and may you always find a good game in Heaven.
Kathy Johnson
06/17/2011
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family. Orin was so special to so many of his co-workers at Leslie Paper. I will never forget memories of Orin's special sense of humor and his compassion for his employees and customers. He was not only my boss but a special friend. Rest in peace Orin.
Kathy