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Orville C. Lovaasen Mound, MN QCWA # 19910 Chapter 8 |
Orville C. Lovaasen
(February 16, 1924 - July 13, 2011)
Orville C. Lovaasen Age 87 of Waconia, and formerly of Mound, MN. Beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died on July 13 at the age of 87. He was born on February 16, 1924 in Walsh County on a farm near Park River, North Dakota. Orville had fond memories that he often shared of growing up on the farm, where he lived and worked until age 17. He worked in the Twin Cities for a short time, moved to California to work in defense plants and as a bus driver for Pacific Greyhound Bus Lines, and moved back to Minnesota as a bus driver for Northland Greyhound Bus Lines. Then Orville was an over the road truck driver for Werner Continental Freight Lines for 36 years and retired in 1984.
Family and music were very important to Orville, and he had many hobbies and interests. He was a self-taught musician who enriched the lives of his family and friends with his musical talents by singing and playing the fiddle, guitar, accordion, button box, harmonica, piano and organ. Orville was known for his great sense of humor and enthusiasm for life. He was always learning and curious about the world. Orville took great pride in his Norwegian heritage and spoke some Norwegian. He could fix just about anything. Orville was so interested in others, always caring and helpful, and had great communication skills. He enjoyed using the computer and staying in touch with his many dear relatives and friends. Orville was a licensed amateur radio operator (call was KØFB since 1957), a member of the Minnetonka Clippers Barbershop Chorus, a member of Button Box America, a member of the Twin Cities Harmonica Society, a member of the Westonka Whirlers Square Dance Club, a longtime member of the Sons of Norway, a Minnesota Teamster Retiree, and a former licensed private pilot. He was always delighted to spend time with his precious family, and he will be greatly missed.
Orville was preceded in death by parents Ole and Catherine (Madland) Lovaasen; first wife of 46 years LaVae (Gruette) Lovaasen in 1992; second wife of four years Inez (Sohns Gunderson) Lovaasen in 2002; daughter-in-law Marleen (Foster) Lovaasen in 1997; and siblings and siblings-in-law Lloyd Lovaasen, Marvel (Lovaasen) and George Jacenko, Jeanne (Lovaasen) Seng, Richard Lovaasen, and Carol (Lovaasen) Copley, Leslie Gruette, Effie (Gruette) Rhode, Gail (Gruette) Goodwater, Beth (Gruette) Batdorf, Duane Gruette and Vern Gruette.
He is survived by children and son-in-law Catherine Lovaasen of St. Louis Park MN, Mary (Lovaasen) and Peter Forsmark of Edina MN, David Lovaasen of Waconia MN; step-daughter and her husband Joyce (Sohns) and David Sawvel of North Carolina; grandchildren Andrew Forsmark of Edina MN, Jessica (Lovaasen) and Jon Boetel of Glencoe MN, Claire Forsmark of Minneapolis MN, and Alice Lovaasen of Waconia MN; great-grandchildren Abigale and Amelia Boetel of Glencoe, MN; brother and sister-in-law Luverne and Barbara Lovaasen of Vergas MN; siblings-in-law Jeanne Lovaasen of Oregon, Bob and Patty Seng of Florida, Gail Lovaasen of Arizona, Betty Gruette of Montrose MN, and Karen Gruette of New Mexico; and many loving relatives and friends.
Orville's family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Todd Holcomb and super nurse Annette, the staff of Ridgeview Medical Center Home Health Care/Hospice, and the staff at Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice House.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, MN, with Rev. Steve Anderson officiating; with a one hour visitation prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Twin Cities Public Television (www.tpt.org) or Ridgeview Medical Center Hospice Services (http://bit.ly/qW0uWC).
Arrangements handled by the Johnson Funeral Home, Waconia; www.johnsonfh.com