Age 81 of West St. Paul, formerly of South St. Paul

Passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026.

Orell Pieper was born on February 21, 1945, to Arnold Anton Pieper and Myrtle Lenore (Prestegord) Pieper in St. Paul, Minnesota. He joined siblings Merriell, Lyle, and Carole. He was baptized on March 18, 1945, at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, Eagan, and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran Church in South St. Paul. He grew up in South St. Paul and attended Central Elementary School and South St. Paul Junior and Senior High School.

He also attended night classes at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.  After marriage, he lived in South Saint Paul, Inver Grove Heights, and West St. Paul.

On completion of high school, Orell worked about a year at West Publishing and then enlisted in the U. S. Army. While stationed in Germany, he worked in the office of the Commanding Officer and later supervised a section of Personnel. Once he completed his military service, he went back to West Publishing and worked in several various departments. He spent the majority of his career in the Accounts, Advertising, and Marketing departments.

Orell always felt blessed that he met Cindy, the love of his life, so early in his life. They first started dating when he was a Senior in high school. There was a hiatus due to military service, but they were married October 6, 1968, about a year after his honorable discharge. They shared many good times together and supported each other in the hard times. Orell and Cindy were blessed with four beautiful children–Jeremy (1970), Jessica (1974), Jenae (1980), and Jameson (1987–adopted in 1990). Both Orell and Cindy enjoyed and appreciated being a part of their children’s lives and sharing their faith with them.

Orell enjoyed most sports, playing on various football, golf, and softball teams.  He served as Commissioner of all five of West Publishing’s golf leagues for ten years. He managed to get two holes-in-one during his lifetime. He also coached many youth teams in T-ball, softball, baseball, and basketball.

At Emanuel Lutheran Evangelical Church (later named Crown of Life) he served on the Board of Full-time Education, Board of Elders, Project ’93, the Riverview Cemetery Board, and the Long-Range Planning Committee.  On the Church Council he served as Secretary, Treasurer, and Chairman.  He was very proud when the congregation approved this draft to establish the “Endowment Fund” and to be elected Co-Chairman of the new Crown of Life Church along with his good friend, Dave Sorgatz who had been Chairman of Trinity Lutheran Church before the merger with Emanuel.

Orell was also involved with St. Croix Lutheran High School (Academy) which all of his children attended. He helped to facilitate the purchase of the building on Oakdale and pitched in to make it ready to open. After Jeremy died in a car accident in 1987, Orell started an endowment called the Jeremy Ryan Pieper Scholarship Fund which has given many students help with tuition.

Orell also served on the Board of Regents and coached basketball at St. Croix.

Orell is preceded in death by son, Jeremy Ryan; parents, Arnold & Myrtle; brother, Merriell.

Besides his wife, Orell is survived by his children, Jessica Biggar-Larson (Chris), Jenae Vieregge (Brian), Jameson Pieper (Angel); Grandchildren include Cami, Noah, Max, Jack, Savannah, Jacob, Maverick, Evan, Khaylin, Taylor, and Bella. He is also survived by brother, Lyle Pieper (Ardis); sister, Carole Wencel (LaMoyne), sister-in-law, Denise Pieper; brothers-in-law, Doug Stoerzinger (Kathleen) and Charles Stoerzinger (Rose) and many nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives.

Orell loved, enjoyed, and was very proud of his grandchildren. He tried to share his tickling and teasing equally.  Some took it better than others, but not one could escape it completely. May they all continue to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ and set their goals high in life.

On Monday, April 6, Orell took the hand of his risen Savior Jesus Christ and went to heaven to join his son Jeremy, friends Dave Sorgatz, and Jim Haberkorn, his parents, and all the saints who have gone before him.

Memorial Service 11:30 AM Monday, April 20th at Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 115 Crusader Ave W, West St. Paul, Visitation 10-11:30 AM prior to the service. Interment Riverview Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to Crown of Life Lutheran Church School or St. Croix Lutheran Academy (Jeremy Ryan Pieper Scholarship Fund).