Orrin Edward Hoblyn

Orrin Edward Hoblyn, age 82, of Mason City died Monday, January 6, 2020 at his home near Mason City, NE.

Orrin was born to Frank & Maude (Nelson) Hoblyn on a farm southwest of Ansley on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1937. He was educated at Harris & Hawk country schools, then attended and graduated from Ansley High School in 1955. After graduation he worked for Brown & Denesia in Broken Bow doing cement work for a year. Orrin joined the National Guard Reserve in 1956 and served his country for two years.

Orrin wanted to farm his whole life. He would go around the countryside shearing sheep which earned him enough money to buy seed corn for that year’s crop. He first rented and farmed land around the Berwyn area, the opportunity came along to rent a farm 1½ miles east of Mason City. After renting the farm for one year he was giving the opportunity to purchase the farm, which he did in 1965 and made his home there for his entire life. He loved those Hereford cows and calving them out and watching them grow. There were also some ol’ Black & White cows on the farm for forty years, but he really never liked them, but they helped to make him a living.

Orrin also enjoyed hunting, whether it be pheasant hunting with Michigan friends, deer hunting in Nebraska, or Elk hunting in Colorado with Ope, Ronnie and Tim, he truly loved to hunt.  He also enjoyed trapping.  The grandkids called him “Eagle Eye”.  He taught the grandsons to hunt and trap.

Orrin also enjoyed going to all kinds of auctions, the one auction he enjoyed the most was the Central City Community Auction held on every Thursday night.  If there was a good bargain to be had Orrin and Bobby Lucas were always there to get it.

Orrin was a plumber, electrician, mechanic, and a carpenter. He was a jack of all trades. He could fix anything. He was a night owl and could be seen in the fields many a night til nearly morning in his John Deere tractor. 

Orrin didn’t know a stranger and loved a good visit. He had a nickname for everyone. He was a very loving, caring, and patient man. He would always give the gift of his time to everyone. He had an optimistic attitude for life. He recently made the comment to Cathie that the best thing he ever did was having his children Amy & Donna, and grandchildren that he so loved and enjoyed dearly. The wonderful & fun times he had with them all. He loved to reminisce and tell the them stories and joked around a lot. As Orrin’s health declined, he shifted to advice giver instead of being a work horse on the farm, but never considered himself retired. He gave advice and guidance daily on the farm’s management. Right before Christmas, Orrin opened his heart and made the most important decision of his life in accepting Christ as his Savior.

Orrin is survived by his wife Cathie Hoblyn of Mason City, daughters Amy Hoblyn of Ansley, & Donna (Shain) Hoblyn- Bittner of Mason City, five grandchildren Michael Shoemaker, Joey (Lakota) Hoblyn-Hill, Chancey and Jacob Hoblyn-Bittner, Wyatt Hoblyn-Shoemaker, two step-great-grandchildren Paiton and Madi Tucker, sister Frances (Calvin) Evans of Ansley, and brother Richard Hoblyn of Cheyenne, WY.

Orrin is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Rachel, and an infant sister.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Mason City with Pastor Scott Harvey officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date.  Memorials are suggested to the Ansley and Mason City Fire & Rescue or the Mason City Baptist Church.   Govier Brothers Mortuary is assisting the family.  Words of encouragement and remembrance may be left at www.govierbrothers.com