Paul Lou Orso

Paul Lou Orso, 73, of Hoyt Lakes passed away surrounded by his loving family on October 16, 2024 at Essentia Health-St Mary’s.

Paul was born on November 11, 1950, in Ironwood, Michigan. He has shown all of us what it means to have a strong sense of family, devotion to those we love and care for, and a desire to live life to the fullest doing all of the things that you love to do.

Paul attended Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School, where he started dating his true love and future wife, Beverly (Stephens), and graduated in 1968. After graduation Paul joined the Army National Guard and was employed by Minntac, where he worked for 30 years. After retirement, it was hard for Paul to keep still — so he happily continued to work, some of which included: Pit & Quarry Supply, teaching at the Eveleth college, and most recently, he enjoyed working in the rental shop at Giants Ridge.

For years, Paul loved being an active member of the Hoyt Lakes Jaycees and helped host many community events, where his quick wit and sense of humor served him in good stead. Paul had such a strong love for his family. He loved his wife, Bev, with his whole heart. Family was so important to him. He showed up for his children and grandchildren as much as possible. He cherished family gatherings; they were very important to him. 

Along with staying busy working for most of his life, Paul enjoyed music and golfing, but what he enjoyed most was fishing. Paul discovered fishing as a young man and instantly fell in love, and he was good — no, great — at it. Paul and Bev spent more than 30 years of summers at Lake Kabetogma, where Paul fished daily. Paul and Bev found their “second” family up at Kab. Paul loved when his children and grandchildren would come and camp there with him and Bev. It truly did mean the world to him when his family was together — nothing made him more happy. Well, fishing … fishing was a very close second …

Paul’s family plans to keep up with his love of family, zest for life, and maybe even get some fishing in. They will continue to gather and celebrate, to: “Do as Paul (Dad/Grandpa) would want me to do”.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and true love Bev (Stephens) Orso; their children: Bryan Orso, Cheryl (Jason) Benson, and Jodi (Trevor) Mattson; his wonderful grandchildren Chloe Benson, Gabriel Mattson, Alexa and Lauren Orso, as well as a “bonus grandchild”, McKenna Edstrom. Nothing made Paul more proud than his grandchildren — they meant the world to him and he showed up for them in all the ways that he could. 

Paul is also survived by his brothers Barry Orso and Larry (Shawna) Orso; sister Sandy Orso; brothers-in-law Robert Stephens, William (Cindy) Stephens, James (Barb) Stephens; sister-in-law Marjorie Stephens; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

Paul will forever be remembered as a funny, loving, devoted family man who had a zest for life and a passion for fishing. All who knew him will surely miss him dearly.

He has now joined other beloved family members: his parents, Carol and Lou Orso; in-laws Thedro Stephens, Jay Tollefson, and Iyone Tollefson; sister-in-law Carol Stephens; and brother-in-law David Stephens.

Paul’s final wishes were for a private, family gathering, so those wishes will be respected and there will not be any memorial service for Paul.