Welland & Annette Orchard

Welland J. Gabby Orchard, MD, 78, and Annette Orchard, 79, of Bismarck, died October 15, 2003. Services will be held at 10 AM Monday at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. David Swonger officiating. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be 3-9 PM Saturday and 1-6 PM Sunday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Welland John Gabby Orchard, Jr. was born April 4, 1925 in Dickinson, ND to Welland John Orchard, Sr. and Oral Roquette Orchard. He played football for the Demons and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1942. After a stretch in the Navy, he enrolled in the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and the University of Colorado. He practiced medicine for over 40 years serving the communities in Emmons County, North Dakota and Montesano, Washington. Gabby was an avid hunter and sportsman. He volunteered as camp doctor for the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Wilderness, Park Rapids, MN, for 15 years and was awarded the Order of the Arrow for his dedication. He was also active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Masonic Lodge. Welland served the Linton Park Board as president and was the Emmons County Coroner for many years. Annette Torvik Orchard was born July 27, 1924 in Sioux Falls, SD to Alfred and Nell Hazard Torvik. She graduated from Bismarck High School in 1942. She worked at the Bismarck Tribune and at the State Capitol as a secretary, and often remarked that she got her private pilot's license at the insistence of her boss before she learned to drive a car. Annette married her sweetheart since 7th grade on June 28, 1947. Annette was a true help mate to her husband, actively managing the books for his medical practice. While in Linton, she was active in her church, Peace Lutheran, serving as church secretary and singing in the choir. She also served on the Linton Public School board for several years. Annette found beauty in everything she saw and was so happy to return to Bismarck when her husband retired, because she loved the North Dakota skies, clouds, and sunsets. She expressed her love often in her painting and pottery and was an accomplished artist. She also did volunteer work at St. Alexius Medical Center. Gab and Annette loved being together in so many ways. They took many fishing trips to Canada and over the years had a long standing rivalry playing cribbage. They also enjoyed playing pinochle and bridge with their friends. In later years, they were comforted by their constant companion, Rusty. Philanthropic their entire lives, Annette and Gabby's passion for the causes they believed in increased in their retirement. They were avid supporters of The American Cancer Society, The Red Cross, The Costeau Society, The North Dakota Boys Ranch, The NRA, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, The Wildlife Society, The Boy Scouts of America, and The Dakota Zoo. Annette and Welland are survived by their children, Pam and Rick Anderson, Burlington, WA, Dave and Cindi Orchard, Sitka, AK, Jeff and Leonie Orchard, Bismarck, ND, and Dan and Brenda Orchard, Kennesaw, GA; Welland's brother and sister, Tom and Ruth Orchard and Mal and Virginia Olson of Bismarck; Annette's brother, Duane and Irene Torvik, Grant's Pass, OR; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. Mom and Dad loved North Dakota and the special people that live here.

Welland & Annette Orchard

July 27, 1924 - October 15, 2003