Etta Fay Orkin

Etta Fay (Kozberg) Orkin, born 4/12/1933 in St. Paul, MN, passed away 10/19/2024 in St. Louis Park. Etta was a generous person and was active in many community endeavors. She loved deeply and expansively, and in return, was loved by many people. Etta lived a busy and full 91 years-in part because she would tell you her "only vices were chocolate and Coca-Cola."
Etta was born during the Depression to Ruth R. (Sinykin) Kozberg & Jacob P. Kozberg, and grew up during WWII. FDR died on her 12th birthday. She learned generosity and the value of family from her parents who opened their homes to soldiers for Sabbath meals and family members rescued before the devastation in Europe. Etta repeated these actions throughout her adult life, including welcoming family members to live in her home after they returned from Viet Nam and at many other times. Her large family and holiday dinners were legendary, with the dining room table sometimes stretching all the way down the living room. She learned from her mother to include anyone who needed a place, quoting, "You can always add more water to the soup."
Etta was very close to her sisters Betty E. (Kozberg) Rappaport-Nathanson and Pauline L. (Kozberg) Bernstein, and their sister/cousin, Vivian L. (Sinykin) Geller, who was raised with them. She and her sisters lived blocks apart as adults and raised their children together. Etta continued deep relationships with these nieces and nephews, and maintained very close relationships with her own cousins throughout her life. She visited those who lived in other states and helped to organize large family reunions.
Education: Attended Sophie Newcomb/Tulane University, later received B.A. in Humanities/minor in Education from the University of Minnesota.
Etta was passionate about politics, current events, and history, especially family and Jewish history. She researched extensively and wrote articles, papers, and an exhaustively-researched, illustrated book on the history of the Adath Jeshurun Congregation, published on its 125th anniversary. She was a founding member and President of the Minnesota Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest. She was also an important primary source and character within the book The Cost of Free Land, written by her great-niece Rebecca Clarren, published in 2023.
Etta was very active in and often led other community organizations, such as the Minneapolis Jewish Federation (Vice President of Campaign/Women's Division), Adath Jeshurun Congregation (Vice President and chair of two large fundraisers at the Guthrie Theater, one featuring Nobel author Isaac Bashevis Singer and the other, actress Tovah Feldshuh), Brandeis University National Women's Committee/Mpls./St.Paul (President). Through JCRC she was a resource person and speaker on Israel in MN schools and churches for over 30 years. She was
Co-President with husband Milt Orkin, MD of Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Alumni Fraternity.
Etta was active in Jr. Wamso/Minneapolis Symphony; Guthrie Theater Stagehands; Cub Scout & Brownie leader, Fern Hill PTA, etc. She was a trained tour guide for the Symphony and Guthrie, and delighted in showing her beloved Twin Cities to visitors. She did P.R. & wrote histories of local organizations, and led many fundraisers, including vintage style shows.
Professional work included teaching nursery school, Registrar & Editor at Minneapolis Talmud Torah, office management at Fisher/Orkin Skin Associates, music teacher at Mount Zion Temple & Camp Counselor at Herzl Camp.
Etta met the love of her life, Milton Orkin, MD, at Tulane. They wed on 6/20/1954. He was a Clinical Professor of Dermatology, a dermatopathologist at the U of MN Medical School, and practiced dermatology in Mpls. They travelled the world together for his professional activities and for family and fun. After his death on 3/5/1999, she established the annual Dr. Milton Orkin Visiting Professorship at the university.
Survived by son, Bruce A. Orkin, MD (Ethel), daughters Catherine B. Orkin Oskow (Craig) & Aimee D. Orkin-Raymond (Mike); 10 much-loved grandchildren who made her very proud: Kevin (Nikki), Noah (Yui), and Aviva (JD) Oskow; Roxanne (Peter) Neems, Daniel (Nora), and David Orkin; Ora, Leila, Abraham (Melissa) and Rachel (Venu Vadlamudi) Raymond; 10 adored great-grandchildren: Ethan, Max, Will, Moses, Jonah, Elijah, Ezra, Ari and Hazel; many highly beloved nieces, nephews, and younger cousins, and dear friends. Much thanks to devoted caregivers Cyrillia, Becky, Bobbielynne and Kari.
Funeral Monday, October 21, 2:00 PM, Adath Jeshurun 10500 Hillside Lane, Minnetonka, MN. Livestream available on Synagogue website. Gathering of Condolence Monday, Oct. 21 at 8:00 PM and Tuesday evening, 7:00, at 2733 Huntington Ave., St. Louis Park, Mn 55416
Donations preferred to the Minnesota Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest and to the Dr. Milt and Etta Fay Orkin Fund at the Adath Jeshuran Congregation. www.Washburn-McReavy.com
Edina Chapel 952-920-3996