Orvis Ivan Lilleodden

ORVIS I. LILLEODDEN

July 27, 1936 – February 8, 2020

                Orvis Ivan Lilleodden, age 83, of Park Rapids, MN formerly a long time Hanska, MN area resident, peacefully entered Heaven’s gate on Saturday, February 8, 2020 where he was welcomed by his beloved wife, Bernice, and daughter, Denise.  He passed at the Crystal Brook Memory Care Center in Park Rapids with his son, Cory, and his daughter-in-law, Christine; son-in-law, Brian Flynn; and family friend, Mark Sanford at his side.

                Orvis was born on July 27^th, 1936 in New Ulm, MN to Ole and Irene (Mickelson) Lilleodden.  He was raised on a farm near Hanska, MN.  He graduated from the Hanska High School with the Class of 1954.  As a senior, he was the male student with the highest academic ranking and was sent to the State Capital in State Paul to receive special honors.  He was united in marriage to Bernice Avis Blekestad on June 27^th, 1959 in St. James, MN.  They were blessed with five children: Dawn, Denise, Lu, Cory, and Orlin.  Orvis spent twenty-five years working for the Farmers Co-op of Hanska in a career that spanned from 1968 - 1993 and worked his way up to the manager of the oil department there.  Orvis made his home on the farm where he grew up living there for 62 years and raising his own family there.  He actively farmed his 160 acres there until his retirement in 1993.  In 1998, he sold the farm and fulfilled their dream by moving to a home on Little Blueberry Lake near Park Rapids, with his wife, Bernice.  Orvis enjoyed many things in life; especially spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and relaxing.  He loved polka music and lived to watch the Molly B Polka Hour on Saturday nights.  Orvis tended to his precious wife, Bernice’s every need when she was diagnosed with ALS in 2005.  During the final years of her illness, Orvis drove to the Frazee Care Center every day to be at her side and encourage her to bravely face every challenge and not give up.  He was deeply saddened by her death in 2009.  He also faced the heartaches of the untimely death of his daughter, Denise in 2012 and his precious granddaughter, Andrea in 1996.  Orvis was a man of faith and was an active member of the Lake Hanska Lutheran Church where he had served as President of the Church Council.  In fact, Orvis was it’s President when they extended a call to a young seminary graduate named, Steve Norby the current Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church here in Park Rapids, who was currently Pastoring Orvis again.  Orvis was a loyal fan of the Minnesota Twins and the MN Vikings and rarely missed a game. Above all, Orvis devoted his life to his wife, his children, and his grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.

                He will be lovingly remembered by his four surviving children:  Dawn (Lloyd) Trullinger of New Ulm, MN, Lu (Kim) Lilleodden of New Ulm, Cory (Christine) Lilleodden of Park Rapids and Orlin Lilleodden of New Ulm; his son-in-law, Brian Flynn of Park Rapids; 16 beloved grandchildren; 30 precious great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Deanne Pizel of Hanska; as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

                Orvis was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernice in 2009, his daughter, Denise in 2012, his granddaughter, Andrea in 1996 and his sister, Marilyn.

                Funeral services will be held 12 Noon on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at the Calvary Lutheran Church with Reverend Steve Norby officiating.  Sandy James will serve as the organist.  The casket bearers will be his grandsons: Brent Kollman, Matt Scholtz, Justin Trullinger, Andy Trullinger, Cody Trullinger, Jordan Trullinger, Bryce Brovitch, Owen Lilleodden, and Zach Lilleodden.  Honorary casket bearers will be his grand-daughters:  Jennifer Brunner, Crystal Preston, Brook Mielke, Laura Flynn, Whitney Dhoore, Sadie Carbert, and Hunter Lilleodden.  Interment will be made in the family plot located in the Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Wednesday, February 12^th at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.  Orvis’s church family at Calvary Lutheran Church will host a funeral luncheon for all right after the service on Thursday. 

To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com