Kenneth Orr

Kenneth Nelson Orr

1946 - 2017

Peacefully on Friday, August 25, 2017, Ken Orr passed away on his beloved farm surrounded by his family at the age of 70 years.

Left to mourn Ken is his one true love Valerie; his children Larry (Melissa), Kim (Clinton) and Wendy (Irvin); his boys Anthony (Charleigh), Dawson, Dillion and Austin; his little girl Alexis; grandchildren Montana, Kansas, Hailey, Lawrence, Bobby, Deidre, Brock, Aaron, Anastasia, Lelend, Memphis, Katie, Kane and Brook; great-grandchildren Mikey, Cameron, Mary and Charles; sister Doreen (Glen); brother Lloyd (Lynn); sister-in-law Noreen; and many foster children over the 20 years of caring for them.  He was predeceased by his mother and father; daughter Monica; grandson John; brothers Bill and Jack; sister Vi and father-in-law Donald Larkins.

Ken was born on November 6, 1946 in Sherridon, Manitoba and was raised in The Pas, Manitoba.  In the early years worked for Garrioch Farms, Lindel Transport and McLean Construction.  In 1972 he met the love of his life through his good friend Kevin Mason.  He moved to Portage la Prairie in 1975 when he married Valerie, they made a home on the farm in 1978 north of Portage.  In the beginning they had pigs and over time they switched to cattle.  Ken worked in construction for 20 years with the RM of Portage la Prairie and many winters commercial fishing.

When Ken was younger he had a great passion for horses and baseball.  His greatest joy in the most recent years was watching his grandchildren playing sports and hearing all about the games he wasn’t able to get to.  Nothing made him more proud then having his children and grandchildren show his cattle at the Portage Ex through 4-H.  Ken had a special place for his many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.  He also had many good times with his good friends over the years.

Ken will always be remembered for being an extremely hard worker, he would give you the shirt off his back but never ask for yours.  He was always good for a joke (appropriate or not).

Special thank-you to Dr. J. Price, Dr. Delaquis, niece/nurse Rhonda Creasy, the amazing staff at PDGH medical unit and HSC and ambulance attendants Marj Ann Beck and Debbie Janzen.

As per Ken’s wishes there will be no formal service.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Ken’s memory Children’s Wish Foundation, Portage Regional Committee, Box 1106, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3C5.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com