Orrin Holen, 87, McClusky, ND died Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at his home with family at his side after a nine month hard fought battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at Grace Lutheran Church, McClusky, ND.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Grace Lutheran Church with prayer services at 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

Burial will be in the spring in McClusky City Cemetery.

Orrin was born on July 2, 1929 at Upham, ND. He was the son of Oluf and Anna (Pederson) Holen. He grew up and attended school in Upham. As a young man he worked for farmers in the Upham and Bantry areas before moving to Seattle where he worked in a saw mill. Orrin returned to ND and started working on road construction. He moved to the McClusky area in September 1952 with Tennefos Construction and helped build Highway 200 through McClusky. Orrin and Obert Osmundson started a construction company in May 1953.

Orrin then met Mayola Helm, the love of his life, and they were married on March 6, 1955 at the EUB Church in McClusky. They resided in McClusky. In 1956 Orrin bought out Obert's share of the business and it continued as Holen Construction. He retired in 1993 but continued to work for ten years for Orrin A. Holen Construction, Inc. which was owned and operated by his three children.

Orrin had many interests including his greatest love of flying his airplane in which he logged over 7,000 hours of flying. His flights were often to construction projects or asking the children and grandchildren to fly to Bismarck for a coke and pie. He loved old cars and he and Mayola participated in many Model T Tours and attended numerous Hudson Rallies and car shows. He started painting pictures during his retirement in McClusky and in Arizona during the winter months. His paintings were displayed at the local café, at home and with those fortunate enough to have either received one as a gift or may have purchased one. Orrin and Mayola drove their motor home to AZ and back for 25 years. Winters spent in AZ were filled with pursuing his hobbies and many summer days were spent with family at their Brush Lake cabin. His children and grandchildren will always appreciate his hands on teaching and lessons learned about God and the importance of family and community. Orrin's children and grandchildren will always remember his favorite saying to his family; "We are going to have fun, fun, fun" when headed out for a camping trip, the lake, vacation, almost any time together.
Orrin held memberships in the Grace Lutheran Church where he served on the council; Sons Of Norway in Minot; The Elks Lodge in Bismarck; Model T Club; Hudson Car Club; McClusky Lions Club; McClusky Merchants; Associated General Contractors of America; served on the McClusky City Council. Orrin also held his private pilot's license, was a member of the Aircraft Owners Association and served on the McClusky Airport Authority.

Orrin is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mayola; three children, Jay (Lona) of Minot; Rhonda (Lee) Boehm of McClusky; Scott (Diane) of McClusky; 8 grandchildren; Ryan, Cory, Shawn, Levi, Eric, Zach, Alex, Cambree. He had 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Alvin (Carol) Holen of Minot; sister, Caroline Natwick of Towner, ND; numerous nieces and nephews.
Orrin was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Oliver, Glenn, Morris Sr. and Irvine.
Online condolences may be shared at www.hertzfuneralhomes.com