Rev. Richard Orchard

Rev. Richard E.  Orchard, age 95, of Casper Wyoming, formerly of Iron River, MI and Willmar, MN, stepped from this life into the next as of Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the Iron River Care Center.

Funeral service will be held at the Assembly of God in Willmar, MN, on Friday, January 23, 2015, beginning with a viewing at 9:30 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m., with Minnesota District Superintendent Clarence St. John officiating. There will be a dinner with an "open mic" time of remembrance immediately following the service. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar, MN in April 2015.

He was born on January 13, 1920 in Ishpeming, MI, the son of the late Richard and Doris (Bastin) Orchard. Rev. Orchard graduated from Iron River High School in 1937.  He then attended North Central Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN.  He later attended Willmar Community College and then went back to North Central Bible College, graduating in 1964. He pastored for over 60 years, was an evangelist and camp-meeting speaker, and for many years traveled with C.M. Ward, noted Revival-Time speaker. He was known as a "Prince-of-preachers" and his musicianship as an Accordionist took him all over the world. His work is over and he is rejoicing in heaven today. He has "laid up treasure in heaven" and will hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of your Lord."

Rev. Orchard married the former Laura Anderson on September 6, 1941 in Browning, IL. Laura preceded him in death on June 14, 1987. He married Wanda McKee on May 20, 1988 in Casper, WY and she preceded him in death. Rev. Orchard was also preceded in death by his daughter Barbara Jean Orchard, brother, Albert Orchard, sister, Minnie Olson, and infant sister Audrey.

Rev. Orchard is survived by his eldest son Richard of Rochester, MN and his children, Beth Ann and Richard David and their spouses; son Lauren (Olga) of Cameron, WI and their son, William; brother, George (Sylvia) of Iron River and sisters, Greta (James) Marcell of Iron River, and Doreen Lehr of Marine City, MI, and their families; many nieces and nephews plus many nieces and nephews on his wife Laura's side that knew him as Uncle Rich.

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