Orpha Kriens

Orpha Madeline Kriens, the daughter of Ben and Viola Pauls, was born April 22, 1916 in Melvin, Iowa. Orpha's father died when she was 11 years old. Her mother remarried Guy Amis. She received her education near Moneta, graduating from Moneta High School in 1934 in the great depression dust bowl days. Orpha was confirmed in the First English Lutheran Church in Spencer, IA. Orpha married Walter Earl Kriens on January 13, 1936 in Canton, SD. To this union, were born 2 children: Annette and Rita. During their early-married years she lived on a farm near Moneta and then moved to a farm east of Spencer. She and Walter purchased their first farm also north and east of Spencer in 1952. Orpha and Walter were members of the Langdon Methodist Church. She was active in local activities, planning showers, weddings and funerals. She was always offering a helping hand from carhopping/counter work for a Langdon friend to attending the Clay County Fair and selling tobacco items also for a Langdon friend for 25 years. She was employed by Drs. Frink and Schlichtemeier as an insurance clerk for 27 years. They moved to Spencer in 1964 and then to their permanent Spencer home in 1968. In 1982, after their lake home purchase, she and Walter continued their love of fishing and entertaining friends from bank parties to investor club members. She prepared special request meals for friends, canned beets for family and her special lime pickles reaching from Iowa to Oregon. Orpha's activities in life included doing chores with Walt, working the farm ground and then to her favorite place, her kitchen. Until the age of 96, she actively attended the Clay County Fair, sometimes daily, watching grandstand performances, judging of calves & sheep and of course visiting relatives of her deceased husband. Orpha loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes on game day and the Minnesota Twins. Orpha passed away at her home in Wahpeton with her daughter Rita and close friends by her side on Friday, November 30, 2012 at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter on April 22, 2001. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters: Rita Hedges (Jack) and Annette (Don) Johnson; 2 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; one brother, Bernard Pauls; one half sister, Delia Richards; other relatives and many, many friends.

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