Dennis Funeral Homes

ORVILLE JOSEPH LARSON, age 95 of Le Center died Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Central Health Care in Le Center.

Born in Linden Township, rural Hanska, Minnesota on June 30, 1916, he was the son of William and Nellie (Byro) Larson.  Orville married Vera Vee on June 30, 1941.  They resided in Lake Crystal, where Orville worked as a blacksmith at Johnson Blacksmith Shop, and as a farmhand working horses and horse teams.  In 1951, Orville and Vera moved to their farm on Lake Tetonka, near Waterville, where they lived and worked until Vera’s death in 2009.  Orville lived with his daughter and son-in-law near Le Center for the next 2-1/2 years.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville, the VFW, DAV and the American Legion Post in Elysian.

Orville served in the U.S. Army from his enlistment in May 1942 until his discharge in October 1944.  He served in Canada from July 1942 until August 1944 helping to build the ALCAN (Alaska-Canada) highway for the war effort.  He loved to tell stories about his duty in Canada and to reminisce about the hardships he faced and the friends he made during his military service.

Orville is survived by his daughter Virgene (Charles) Dempewolf of Le Center, and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera, his parents, 12 brothers and sisters, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be held from 4-8PM on Friday, October 7, 2011 at the Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville, and will continue for one hour before services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville, with Rev. David Mumme officiating.  Following military honors and a luncheon to be held at the church, interment will take place at Linden Lutheran Cemetery in Hanska.