Orin “Kelly” Calhoun

Orin-or “Kelly,” as he was better known-Calhoun, 76, went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 13, 2024 due to complications from lung cancer. He is already dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Orin “Kelly” Calhoun

Kelly was born to Floyd and Pauline (Wiggins) Calhoun on February 7, 1948 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He was raised with his three sisters in a happy home full of love and faith. His family would eventually move to their farm in New Richland, Minnesota, where he graduated high school in 1966.

He went on to attend college in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he met and married his first wife, Kathie. Though they would divorce many years later, the couple adopted and raised two daughters together. He was an involved and loving father-always willing to go along for adventures, celebrate achievements, and lend support during disappointments.

During his life, he spent many years working in agriculture before finding his passion working with mentally challenged adults. When he was in his 40s, Kelly decided to go back to school and earn his bachelor’s degree in social work, which he applied to working with both adults and troubled youth. For the last several years, he was happy driving school bus for the Albert Lea Bus Company.

Kelly was outgoing and enjoyed being involved in his community. He served as a volunteer firefighter at different points in his life, helped out with Special Olympics, and other activities. For many years, he loved singing with the guys in a barbershop chorus in the Albert Lea area, putting on various concerts and delivering “singing Valentine’s” each year. For much of his adult life, he was also known to take on acting roles in plays put on by community theaters.

He had many interests and hobbies, such as fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and playing card games just to name a few. He was always open to finding new interests as well. In recent years, he discovered that he really enjoyed going to concerts and drag races. Reading was a big part of his life; on average, he read at least one book per week. But of these interests, fishing was probably his longest love. When he was a boy, he began going on week long fishing trips with his father and others to Canada once every summer until 2022. The trip was something he looked forward to all year.

Kelly is survived by his daughters, Beth Lamp and Polly Calhoun; his grandchildren, Lane Calhoun, Josie Swenson, and Sarah Swenson; his longtime companion, Linda Wallin; his sisters, Paula (Jim) Hansen, Patti (Don) Haarstad, and Pam (Rob) Coyer; several nieces, nephews, and other extended family members; many friends; and his beloved pets, Katie, Sonny, Cher, and Sassy. He was preceded in death by his parents; his ex-wife, Kathie Calhoun; and other relatives.

A funeral will be held for Kelly on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Bridge Community Church in Albert Lea at 2 p.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.