1921
Orville
2014
Orville Wilts
August 29, 1921 — January 17, 2014
Orville O. Wilts, 92, of Steamboat Rock, IA, passed away on Friday, January 17th at the Valley View Nursing & Rehab Center in Eldora while under Care Initiatives Hospice. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 22nd at 10:30 A.M. at the East Friesland Presbyterian Church in rural Ackley. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 21st from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Doyen-Abels Funeral Home in Wellsburg. Interment will follow the funeral service at the Steamboat Rock Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family where they will donate to an organization of their choice at a later date.
Orville was born on August 29, 1921 in Hardin County, Iowa, the son of Gratus & Margaret (Heikens) Wilts. He attended country school in Clay Township and later graduated from the Steamboat Rock High School with the class of 1939. On October 18, 1945, Orville was united in marriage to Marjorie Bolar at her parent's home in Eldora. He and his wife were blessed with 3 sons. Orville worked as a farmer, having farmed his whole life on the family farm northeast of Steamboat Rock.
He was a lifelong member of the East Friesland Presbyterian Church in rural Ackley where he was active in Men's Choir and was a former Trustee, Deacon and Elder. Orville enjoyed fishing with friends and traveling all around the country. Orville and Marjorie were able to work summers after their retirement at the Yellowstone National Park at the Old Faithful Inn. Orville also enjoyed cooking and visiting with his neighbors and friends but what brought the most joy to him was his church and his family.
Orville is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie of Steamboat Rock; sons Bruce (Nancy) of Omaha, NE, Keith (Shirley) of LaGrange, KY & Guy (Deb) of Lakeville, MN; grandchildren Paul Miller & Traci Miller of Omaha, NE, Amanda (Brian) Webb & Lindsey (Alec) Breen, both of Louisville, KY, Josh (Michelle) Berg of Elko, MN & Nikki Berg of Apple Valley, MN; great-grandchildren Rowan Webb, Noah & Stella Berg, Jayelin & Jersey White and Chase, Chelsea & Mikie Wilts. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Julius Wilts and sisters Fanny Ohling & Henrietta Wilts.
Orville was born on August 29, 1921 in Hardin County, Iowa, the son of Gratus & Margaret (Heikens) Wilts. He attended country school in Clay Township and later graduated from the Steamboat Rock High School with the class of 1939. On October 18, 1945, Orville was united in marriage to Marjorie Bolar at her parent's home in Eldora. He and his wife were blessed with 3 sons. Orville worked as a farmer, having farmed his whole life on the family farm northeast of Steamboat Rock.
He was a lifelong member of the East Friesland Presbyterian Church in rural Ackley where he was active in Men's Choir and was a former Trustee, Deacon and Elder. Orville enjoyed fishing with friends and traveling all around the country. Orville and Marjorie were able to work summers after their retirement at the Yellowstone National Park at the Old Faithful Inn. Orville also enjoyed cooking and visiting with his neighbors and friends but what brought the most joy to him was his church and his family.
Orville is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie of Steamboat Rock; sons Bruce (Nancy) of Omaha, NE, Keith (Shirley) of LaGrange, KY & Guy (Deb) of Lakeville, MN; grandchildren Paul Miller & Traci Miller of Omaha, NE, Amanda (Brian) Webb & Lindsey (Alec) Breen, both of Louisville, KY, Josh (Michelle) Berg of Elko, MN & Nikki Berg of Apple Valley, MN; great-grandchildren Rowan Webb, Noah & Stella Berg, Jayelin & Jersey White and Chase, Chelsea & Mikie Wilts. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Julius Wilts and sisters Fanny Ohling & Henrietta Wilts.
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