Orin Turnquist

May 13, 2020

Orin Turnquist, age 82, of Montevideo, Minnesota passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at his home. Celebration of Life will take place at United Methodist Church in Montevideo on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 1:00 PM . With a Visitation a half hour prior to the service at the church. https://fb.watch/5Fo-gWfvjq/ Orin Edgar Turnquist was born October 19, 1937, in Alexandria, Minnesota to Alex and Ruth (Anderson) Turnquist. He attended school in Kensington, Minnesota and graduated there. Orin served our country in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge on January 4, 1960. Orin married Betty Swenson on November 12, 1960 in Kensington. The couple made their home first in Willmar and in 1965, they moved to Montevideo. They were blessed with three daughters, Wendy, Sherri and Lisa. Orin began working for the Montevideo Block and Tile Plant. Together Orin and Betty owned and operated Orin’s Cafe which is known as Valentino’s today. In 1983 Orin started working for Western Co-op and didn’t retire from there until he was 70 years old. Orin was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Montevideo. He also was a member of the VFW Post #380. Orin loved watching and building houses for purple martin birds. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and archery. As a married father of three, he took part in many arm wrestling competitions. Orin was selfless, always thinking of others with his grandchildren and great grandchildren being top priority. Orin is survived by his daughters, Sherri (Mike) Christians of Bay City, TX, Lisa Turnquist of Montevideo; grandchildren, Erik (Heidi) Thompson, Michael Thompson (Lori Campana), Samantha (Russell) Allen, Nathan (Susie) Spletter, Nicole (Zachary) Wilkening, Heather Trevino; great grandchildren, Meghan, Bailey, Parker, Easton, Cameron, Kaleigh, Emma, Mackenzie, KyleeRae, Grayson, Ayva, Vanessa, Mario, Jaime, Nels, JP, Anaya; sisters, JoAnn (Jim) Louisiana of Bloomington, Louella Campion of Gardnerville, NV, Karen (Lloyd) Kosanke of Torrance, CA; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Jerry) Huntley of Montevideo, Roger (Pam) Swenson of Frazee, Sharon Swenson of Mission, TX; as well as nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Orin is preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Ruth; wife, Betty; daughter, Wendy Barker and her husband, Brian; infant granddaughter; brother-in-law, Dennis Swenson.