Obituary of Helmuth Orth

Longtime Burlington, Colorado resident Helmuth Karl Orth passed away on July 26, 2006 at the St. Anthony’s Central Hospital in Denver. He was 84 years old. Helmuth was born on July 4, 1922 in St. Francis, Kansas to Karl and Elizabeth (Heinle) Orth. He was one of six children. Helmuth attended school up through the twelfth grade and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1942. He then farmed for his father and with his brother-in-law Ted Burr, until he was called to serve his country in the Army for 18 months from 1946 to 1947. Most of that time was spent in Germany working as a German translator. When he returned home, he went back to farming. On April 4, 1948, he married Frances Lampe at the Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Francis, KS. To this union two children were born; Dennis and Jo Ellen. After they were married, Helmuth worked as a laboratory technician for the Bureau of Reclamation from 1948 to 1951 while the Bonny Dam near Hale, Colorado was being built. Bonny Dam was completed in 1951. He then worked for P.M.A. until 1953, when he and Frances decided to go into business for themselves. They built and operated the Dairy King and 2 1/2 years later they built the A&W Rootbeer in St. Francis. In the spring of 1959, they sold both establishments and moved to Burlington, Colorado. In August, they opened Orth’s Department Store which they operated until his retirement in 1987, when he turned over the management responsibilities to his son Dennis and his wife Jean. Helmuth enjoyed the store so much, that he continued to be involved by coming in to visit with the people he enjoyed so much. Helmuth and Frances both liked to play Bridge, enjoy fishing and golfing together, and are members of the First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burlington. He also held several offices on the church board as well as the Chamber of Commerce. They both enjoy traveling. They have traveled the US from east to west and north to south, including Hawaii, nine foreign countries and islands, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Africa, Canari Islands, Bahama Islands, Germany, Canada and Mexico. They’ve been to some beautiful places, but still love the Good Old USA. Helmuth took great pride and joy in all of his grandchildren’s activities, and was also so proud of their achievements. He attended their games and events whenever he could. He was also always interested in hearing about and seeing photos of his New Zealand grandson’s accomplishments. Helmuth is preceded in death by his parents; bother Richard Orth, sister Linda Burr and another brother Oscar Orth; one infant brother and one infant sister. He is survived by his wife Frances, his son Dennis Orth and his wife Jean, and their two children Sterling and Hayley, all of Burlington, and one daughter Jo Ellen Beattie and her husband Tim, and their son Matthew of Russell, New Zealand. Funeral Services for Mr. Orth were held on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burlington with Pastor Jeff Hanson officiating. Visitation was held on Tuesday morning at the church from 9:30 to 10:30. Burial was held in the St. Francis Cemetery in St. Francis, KS at 2:00 PM MT. Memorials may be made in Helmuth’s name and may be left at the Bank of Burlington in Burlington, Colorado.