Magaret Rose Orr

Margaret “Rose” Orr August 11, 1927 — January 6, 2026, Gordon, Nebraska

Margaret “Rose” Orr, 98, of Gordon, Nebraska, passed away on January 6, 2026, at Gordon Countryside Care. Born Margaret Rose Kearns on August 11, 1927, to Eugene and Mary (Nelson) Kearns on the family farm southeast of Rushville, she grew up surrounded by the rhythms of rural life that shaped her character and her deep connection to the land.

Rose attended grade school locally and completed her 9th and 10th grades through correspondence courses with the University of Nebraska while attending District 105 on the Niobrara River. She finished her 11th and 12th grades at Rushville High School, graduating in 1944. After graduation, she worked on the family farm until she contracted polio. She recovered and went on to work at the law office of Ed Hollstein.

On May 19, 1951, Rose married Leo Orr, who had been widowed, and she lovingly stepped into the role of mother to his three children, embracing them as her own. They first lived on the Orr Ranch south of Rushville before beginning their work operating airports across rural Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. In 1969, they returned to the ranch near Lakeside, where they lived and worked side by side until moving to Gordon in December 2012. Her steady presence and quiet direct spirit were at the heart of everything they accomplished together.

Rose was a devoted mother to Donella, Monte, and Stephen, and a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren. Her home was a place of warmth and welcome, shaped by her gifts as a gardener, a home chef, and a maker of handmade treasures. Whether tending her garden, preparing meals from scratch, or crafting something with her hands, Rose poured love into the everyday work of caring for others.

A bright soul and a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church, Rose lived her beliefs through service, humility, and resilience. Her life was a testament to quiet strength; steady, grounded, and unwavering. She was also a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer on nearly every election day, offering her time with characteristic reliability.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and steadfastness that will continue to guide her family for generations.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Ellis Orr; her son, Stephen Charles Orr; and her siblings, Joe (Laura) Kearns, Eugene (Betty) Kearns, and Peggy (Johnny) Paul. She is survived by her family: Donella Kopaska; Clint (Kayleigh) Kopaska; Jason (Maya) Orr; Andrea (Davor) Cavrag; Bradley (Keri) Orr; Monte (Sheila) Orr; Kent (Shana) Orr; Kory (Kayla) Orr; Kelly Orr; Mike and Barb Paul; and nine great‑grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Chamberlain Mortuary of Gordon, Nebraska.