Orin D. Gelhar
Orin Donald Gelhar, age 74, of Ripon, died peacefully on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Russell Manor Senior Apartments.
He was born November 18, 1947, in Berlin, WI, the son of Donald and Fern Plantz Gelhar. Orin was a 1965 graduate of Berlin High School, where he was a very successful wrestler. Recently, he was inducted into the Berlin Athletic Hall of Fame for his wrestling accomplishments. He received bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Math from UW-Oshkosh, as well as an associate’s degree in Soils from UW-Madison. He was in the Marine Corps ROTC during college. On July 4, 2007, he was united in marriage to Gloria Guderjahn at home in their garden.
Orin operated a combine for 52+ years. Most recently he worked for Huser Implement for 10+ years and Brooks Farms for 12+ years. You always knew when it was harvest time because Orin would show up with corn for everyone. He enjoyed fishing, especially catching the big cats on the river, and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to hunt, trap, and fish. Orin was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, where he enjoyed singing with the choir.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria; son, Jarin (Michelle) Gelhar; daughter, Narin (Jay) Selthofner; four grandchildren, Mitchell Gelhar, Lily, Willough, and Leif Selthofner; step-children, Farrah (Mark) Pomerenke and Jody (Mark) Larson; five step-grandchildren, Ethan and Evan Pomerenke, Sabra, Loki, and Caebrie Larson; sister-in-law, Ellen Gelhar; nieces and nephew, Angela, Greg, and Valerie; and his cat, Susie. Orin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dennis Gelhar; and sister, Ellen Jean, as an infant.
A Celebration of Orin will be held on August 10, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Riverside Park South Shelter House #2 on the Fox River, 217 West Cumberland Street, Berlin, WI. Please bring your fishing poles; refreshments will be provided. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Orin Gelhar, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.
Online condolences may be submitted and sent using the form below. You may also email condolences to the family through "barbolafc@yahoo.com". All condolences are private and sent only to the family.