Goodridge - Orvin Anderson, 83 died Wednesday, April 7, 1999 at Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 10 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, with Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating. Grace Hammer was the organist, and Vernon Iverson and Jane Anderson were the soloists. Casketbearers were Chad Becker, Jeff Forsberg, Reed Engelstad, Trevor Kiesow, Brent Grunewald and Jordan Anderson. Honorary casketbearers were Orvin's granddaughters and great-grandchildren. Burial was in Ekelund Cemetery in Highlanding township of Pennington county. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Orvin Myron Anderson was born on September 21, 1915 in Star township of Pennington county, the son of Magnus J. and Anna Maria "Mary" (Kompelien) Anderson. He was baptized and confirmed at Ekelund Lutheran Church and attended school in Star township.
On June 21, 1938 he married Verna Alice Hyland in Thief River Falls. The couple moved to Highlanding township where they farmed and raised their children. Verna died on March 18, 1967.
On June 28, 1969 Orvin was united in marriage to Arda Esther Johnson at Ekelund Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Highlanding township.
Orvin's different jobs included working as a ranch hand in Montana for a short time, drilling wells with his father in rural Pennington county, working for the ASCS office in Pennington county, as a heavy equipment operator for Erie Mining Company in Mt. Iron, as a maintenance custodian at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls and at the Alfalfa Plant in Thief River Falls for a short while. Orvin also worked for the Pennington County Highway Department for 13 years, retiring at age 65. He farmed his entire life in Highlanding township.
He served as supervisor on the Highlanding Town board for a number of years. He enjoyed his family, fishing, fox and wolf hunting, horses and singing and playing musical instruments.
Orvin is survived by his wife, Arda of Goodridge; five daughters, Florence (Vernon) Becker of Cavalier, ND, Darlene (Richard) Halvorson of Thompson, ND, LaVonne (Larry) Forsberg of Thief River Falls, Linda (Ronald) Engelstad of Grygla and Julie (Gary) Kiesow of Goodridge; one son, Tim (Lois) Anderson of Goodridge; four step-children, Gary (Sherry) Johnson of Vancouver, WA, Marilyn (Mel) Simmons of Ham Lake, Dale (Judie) Johnson of Abbotsford, BC and Arlen (Karen) Johnson of Vadnais Heights; 16 grandchildren; eight step grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; one sister, Evelyn Hovet of Thief River Falls; three sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Verna; his parents; four brothers, Jesse, Selmer "Sam," Norman and Harold; four sisters-in-law; and three brothers-in-law.
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