Orville Oleson

Orville Oleson, 98, of Bruce, passed away on Friday, Feb. 5, at the Ladysmith Nursing Home.

Orville was born on July 4, 1911, in Churchs Ferry, N.D. He was the son of Oscar and Grace (Shortluff) Oleson. When Orville was a toddler the family moved back to the Colfax, Wis., area where the Olesons had lived for many years. His boyhood years were spent there on the family farm. In 1929, when Orville was 18 they moved to the Exeland area.

Orville married Nancy Bicknell Verlaine on Sept. 5, 1936, They soon settled on their farm near Bruce, where he spent the rest of his life. In addition to farming, Orville hauled milk and worked at the Bruce Garment Factory as a sewing machine maintenance man. Nancy passed away in 1997, after 61 years of marriage.

Above all, Orville enjoyed gardening. He was known for his beautiful flowers and his delicious sweet corn. He had a wonderful, dry, self-deprecating sense of humor which everyone enjoyed. People loved being around him and would exchange Orville stories. Orville was a member of Nathaniel Lutheran Church in Bruce.

Orville is survived by his daughter, Gloria Quilty of Ladysmith; his sister Mabel Meisegeier of Bruce; and his grandchildren Clark (Pat) Beebe, John (Cindy) Beebe, Nancy (Greg) Clements, Gary (Lynn) Beebe and Donna Long and their families. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Nancy; his daughter Ione Beebe; his brother Clyde; his sister Viola Waite; and his grandsons Robert and Kenneth Beebe. He was also preceded in death by his sons-in-law Robert Beebe, Dudley Hale, and James Quilty; and his brothers-in-law Joe Waite and Ed Meisegeier.

Visitation was held at the Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Bruce on Monday, Feb. 8. Funeral services were scheduled at Nathaniel Lutheran Church in Bruce on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Pastor Karl Peters officiated. Burial was in Bruce Cemetery.