In Memoriam: Irma Bodil Orum

Jennifer Zurko

The Midwest companies announced the sad news that Irma Bodil Orum, 88, died the morning of Sunday, September 22, 2019. Irma had been a resident of The Danish Home of Chicago for the past six years. She spent her last weeks in hospice care surrounded by family and friends.

Irma was by her husband Peter’s side when Midwest Groundcovers and Midwest Trading were founded and throughout their growth. Irma nurtured the business side of the company and helped with day-to-day nursery operations, all while caring for their home and growing family. She is survived by Peter; her daughter, Christa (Craig) Orum-Keller; and grandchildren Christian Keller and Lydia Orum-Keller. Irma was preceded in death by her parents and son, Stig Peter Orum.

Donations in Irma’s memory can be made to either the Stig P. Orum Memorial Foundation at stigorumfoundation.com or to the Peter & Irma Orum Research Fund—which was recently established as part of Midwest’s 50th anniversary celebration—through the Horticulture Research Institute at www.hriresearch.org/donate. GT