Orval Hess

Orval Hess, age 86, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018 at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, as a result of a hemorrhagic stroke. His family was with him in his final days providing love and support.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Organist will be Sara Lee Rinke.

Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Allen Weick, Willy Ketterling, Fr. Stanley Wieser, John Moe, Wes Krumwiede and Roger Jacobsen. Honorary Pallbearers will be Orval's grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 12th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at St. John Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue Tuesday afternoon one hour prior to service time at the church.

Orval Rolland Hess was born on May 2, 1931 on a farm in Taylor Township, Traverse County, Minnesota, the son of Rolland and Lydia (Karvonen) Hess. He was baptized on September 11, 1932 at the Taylor EUB Church and confirmed as an adult on December 10, 1961 at St. John Lutheran Church, Wheaton. He attended school and graduated from Wheaton High school in 1950. On November 30, 1957 Orval was united in marriage to Roxy Schild at St. John Lutheran Church. To this union three children were born: Angela, Darcy and Scott.

Following his high school graduation, Orval served his country following the Korean Conflict from 1955-1957. He returned to Wheaton where he started work at the Farmer's Store. Orval then served as the deputy Auditor for Traverse County for twenty-one years. In 1982 he became a full time agent for American Family Insurance in Wheaton.

Orval was a devoted member of the Wheaton community- he served on the Wheaton Fire Department for twenty years and served in various roles for St. John Lutheran Church, a member of the American Legion, and helped deliver Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed following the Minnesota Sports teams, golfing, playing cards, morning coffee buddies and spending time in Arizona and Florida. He especially loved going to his six grandchildren's activities.

Orval is survived by his wife Roxy of Wheaton; his children: Angela (Tom) Anderson of Alexandria, MN; Darcy (Mark) Wencl of Plymouth, MN; and Scott (Kim) Hess of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren: Kreg Anderson, Jack Anderson, Lucas Wencl, Alex Hess, Kyle Hess and Ashley Hess; Three sisters: Joyce (Fred) Gilbert of Mesa, AZ; Sharon (Roger) Jacobsen of Alexandria, MN; and Sharlot (John) Moe of Hudson, WI; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Orval was preceded in death by his parents Rolland and Lydia Hess; parents-in-law George and Laura Schild; and sister Marlys Birkholtz.