Edith Marjorie "Edie" Orazem

1933 - 2025

Edith "Edie" Marjorie Orazem passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, at her home of 56 years in Aitkin, MN, surrounded by her loving family. Edie was born July 31, 1933, to Marvin and Beulah Ioder in Ohio, IL, and was raised on a farm nearby. She often spoke of ice skating beneath the apple tree, sharing one pair of skates amongst the 7 children in her family. She milked cows, cared for chickens and even climbed to the top of the silo once! From a young age, Edie yearned to learn to play the piano. The dream was realized when Beulah (mother) sold her own violin to pay for lessons for Edie, marking the beginning of a life-long passion for piano and organ that would bless many around her. She graduated from high school in Ohio, IL, and attended college in Chicago where, unbeknownst to her parents, she'd bravely walk several miles through sketchy streets from the train station to save the cab fare. She earned a degree in elementary education, teaching second grade for a year before she married. She and her future husband, Robert Orazem, met on a blind date. They were married on June 4th, 1955, in Illinois and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Bob took Edie on a romantic camping trip for their honeymoon before they moved to Aitkin, MN, where Bob started his optometric practice. Edie settled into her new town, welcoming babies: Jim in 1956, Jan in 1959 and Susie in 1964. She began playing organ at St. John's Episcopal Church and the Aitkin United Methodist Church, where she played organ for over 50 years. In addition, she taught many of Aitkin's children to play piano, first giving lessons in a borrowed living room and then in the studio in the basement of the home she and Bob built and moved into in 1968. Edie also was known for being the first woman to earn her solo pilot's license in Aitkin County, loving being a homemaker and sewing, shining on the golf course, collecting recipes and cookbooks, organizing Rally For A Cure/Leslie Cummings Memorial Tournament, creating a spooktacular Halloween in the garage, playing piano for Edie's Gang every month at Aitkin Health Services (even at 91!), accompanying choirs, playing for local weddings and funerals and flying the plane she and Bob owned. But family and friends were the most important thing in Edie's world. For family events, she was the first person up and the last person to go to sleep. She was so proud of her three kids and the families they raised. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a source of joy to her. She meticulously chose their Christmas gifts, wrapping each with a special embellishment on top. Her friends recall many shenanigans involving road trips, golf outings, The Red Hat Ladies, New Year's Eve parties and many other get-togethers. While dementia slowed her down in her last few years, Edie continued to be a source of love, delight and encouragement to everyone around her. Her sense of humor really surfaced, bringing much laughter to all who spent time with her. She loved her "cloud-chair" naps, watching her impatiens grow on the deck and going for drives in the countryside. In her final conversations, she told everyone around her how special and wonderful they are, how she loved them, how lucky she felt and how "Life is good." She enjoyed a long, happy and full life. Edie is survived by her husband, Bob; children, Jim (Carol) Orazem of Mora, Jan (Jon) Hegman of Aitkin and Susie (Clayton) Weitnauer of Zimmerman; grandkids, Jeri Anne (Joey) Goodall, Josh (Meghan) Hegman, Jake (Emily) Hegman, Andy (Laura) Weitnauer, Rachel (Clay) Eberhart, Heidi (Connor) O'Connell, Jase (Sarah) Hegman and Logan (Brooke) Orazem plus 26 (soon-to-be 27!) great-grandkids! She is survived by her brothers, Jim, Harry and Ned Ioder, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Caryl, Betty and Norma.

Edie's memorial service was 2:00pm - Friday, August 22, 2025 at the Aitkin United Methodist Church. The family appreciates everyone that joined them to honor Edie's memory and legacy. Arrangements were with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Aitkin. To leave a message of condolence go to www.srtfuneral.com