Orran Ewer

Orran Thomas Ewer, 78, of Ladysmith, fell asleep in death on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, at Golden Age Manor in Amery from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Orran was born in Kingsford, Mich. on Nov. 25, 1931, to Thomas and Utha Ewer. He was second in line of 13 children.

Orran grew up in the Ladysmith area attending school in the township of Hubbard. He served in the National Guard for seven years as a staff sergeant and was known as an excellent marksman. During this time, he worked as a lumberjack in the Ladysmith area. Around 1952, he moved with his sister Virginia to Elgin, Ill., where he worked at Kerber’s meat packing plant. It was during this time that he also met Pauline Davis. The two fell in love and on Jan. 23, 1954, they were married.

In 1960, Orran and his wife dedicated their lives to serving Jehovah God by water baptism. Soon he was serving as service overseer and giving many public discourses throughout western Wisconsin.

In 1968, Orran worked on the highway projects of constructing I-94 and I-90. One day, a crane operator struck a power line that fell on Orran and electrocuted him. He was pronounced dead by the Park Falls newspaper. Slowly, but surely he recovered from this life altering experience.

Another near-death experience befell him at the Peavey paper mill. While doing maintenance on the print rollers, the machine was accidentally switched on. His strength and quick reaction to the situation saved his life, as he lifted the rollers off of him. He soon found himself back in the woods, working as a lumberjack until he retired at the age of 62.

Orran was also well-known for his musical talent. Orran, his brother Jim and his best friend Orval Duccamen played frequently at WLDY, local theatres and establishments in Ladysmith under the stage name “The Fugitives.” He also played with his brother-in-law Delton Robbins for many years under the stage name “The Good Guys.”

He enjoyed the outdoors and had many hobbies including hunting and trapping around the Lea Lake area. He is remembered as being honest-hearted and hard working, qualities that he instilled into his children.

Orran is survived by many friends and family members, including his six brothers and five sisters; his wife Pauline; his sons and daughters Lonnie, Della, Wayne, Anita, Timothy, Paula, Larry and Kyle. He is further survived by 22 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Services for Orran will be on Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, W7933 US Hwy 8, in Ladysmith at 2 p.m. Rick Ness will officiate. Flower deliveries may be sent between 11:30 a.m.-12:30pm. Condolences may be sent to Pauline Ewer, 630 130th Street, Amery, WI 54001.