Oris “Orrie” Blegen, 87, of Hastings, died on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at Augustana Care Center in Hastings.

Oris was born on Sept. 24, 1927, in Decorah, Iowa, to Merwyn and Nora (Moen) Blegen. He graduated from Faribault High School in 1946. Orrie served in the United States Army during the Korean War. On Nov. 20, 1954, Orrie was united in marriage to Arlene Peterson in Nashua, Iowa. Orrie worked for Northwestern Bell for 37 years and retired in 1984. Orrie and Arlene raised their family in Austin, Minnesota, before moving to Virginia, Minnesota. After retirement they moved to Mora and spent the last five years in Hastings. Orrie and Arlene enjoyed camping at Sherwood Forest in Garrison for many years. He loved watching sports and was an exceptional athlete in high school. He also enjoyed deer hunting and vegetable gardening.

Orrie is survived by three children: Terry (Pam) Blegen of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, Sandi (Jay) Underwood of Hastings, and Peter (Jill) Blegen of St. Bonifacius; eight grandchildren: Celina (Shawn) Campagna, Dustin Truesdell, Tiffany (Joe) Stenzel, Dustin Underwood, Michelle (Cody) Kottke, Kirsten (Tom) Church, Zach Fimon and Angela Blegen; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Orin “Clet” (Dorothy) Blegen; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Ryan Truesdell; sister, Helen Marie (Harlan) Askelson; two sisters-in-law: Merle (Tino) Louris, and Cleo (Leonard) Holmgren; and nephew, Tom Louris.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at Belgrade Avenue United Methodist Church in North Mankato with the Rev. Dan Horn officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Kern’s Oak Grove Cemetery in rural North Mankato with military honors.

The family would like to thank the staff at Park Ridge Senior Living and Augustana Care Center in Hastings for the wonderful care they provided.