Orris O. Schjei

Orris O. Schjei, age 85, of Alexandria, died on Monday, February 5, 2024, at Bethany on the Lake.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria with Father Matthew Kuhn officiating. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery Columbarium.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service.

Orris Odell was born on May 11, 1938, to Ole and Ella (Halvorson) Schjei in Brandon. He grew up on the family farm in rural Brandon. Orris attended country school and continued his education at Brandon High School, where he graduated in 1956. Following his education, he assumed control of the family farm. Orris was united in marriage to Judith Ann Klimek on June 11, 1960, at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. He continued to run the farm until a farm injury in 1967, which forced him to change careers. He and his family moved to Alexandria the following year and Orris attended Alexandria Technical College for Accounting. He began his accounting career with Ludke’s (currently Henry’s Foods) where he worked for nearly 40 years. He was a member of the Church of St. Mary and its Knights of Columbus. Orris enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, woodworking, shelling walnuts, fishing, and walking his dog, Mateo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Anne; son, Steve; infant son, Daniel; three brothers, Kenneth, Tony, and Orvin; sister, Ardis; daughter-in-law, Barb Schjei; and great-granddaughter, Olivia.

Orris is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy; daughter, Peggy (Bill) Blenkush of Becker; son, Tim Schjei of Princeton; three sisters, Avis Lorenz, Ardell (Melvin) Klimek both of Alexandria, and Arlene (Romie) Klimek of Glenwood; eight grandchildren, Mindy (Thrush) Bogie, Nicholas Bullick, Joe (Natalie) Blenkush, Alex (Morgan) Blenkush, Rachel (Brian) Russell, Teila (Jeremy) Douglas, Mariah Schjei, and Adam Schjei; 10 great-grandchildren, Brandan, Charlie, Ella, Jonah, Ellie, Micah, Maverick, Nora, Bennett, and Ada; along with many nieces and nephews.  

Urnbearers are Nick Bullick, Joe Blenkush, Adam Schjei, and Brandan Bogie.