Services for Orville Melvin Hanson
Orville Melvin Hanson, 89, Thief River Falls, MN, has died, joining the love of his life Marilyn, on Thursday, October 18, 2018.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 22, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Orville Melvin Hanson was born on January 20, 1929 to John R. and Inger (Nelson) Hanson in Chester Township, Polk County, MN. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, Oklee and confirmed on June 20, 1943. He attended country school for one year (1936-37) and attended Oklee Public School, graduating as Valedictorian of his class in 1947. Orville began his banking career in 1947 as a Teller at Security State Bank in Oklee. Orville entered into service with the United States Army on April 11, 1951 and served in Korea from January through December 1952. He attained the Rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged on January 16, 1953. On June 11, 1954 he was united in marriage to Marilyn J. Johnson at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural McIntosh by Reverend H.C. Molstre. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls where Orville worked as an Assistant Cashier, Cashier, Vice President and Cashier, and Senior Vice President and Cashier at Northern State Bank. In 1997, Orville received an award from the Minnesota Banker’s Association for 50 years in the Banking Industry. He served on the Board of Directors of Northern State Bank as Secretary and Marshall County State Bank until the time of his death.
Orville was very generous with his time. He served as treasurer of many organizations and as “temporary auditor” of the Eagles Club in Thief River Falls for over 50 years. Orville served on the Board of Directors for Skylite Apartments for over 35 years and was president for a number of years. He was coordinator of the American Legion Color Guard Funeral Detail and held Life Memberships with both the American Legion and the VFW. He was an active member of the Lions Club for over 50 years, delivered meals-on-wheels for many organizations, and was active in the Trinity Lutheran Church Men’s Group. Orville was an “extraordinary” raffle ticket seller and always had a pocket full of tickets to sell. He helped out many organizations by selling raffle tickets. He and his wife Marilyn were selected as Outstanding Senior Volunteers for Pennington County in 2012.
Orville loved to travel and spend time with family. He, Marilyn, and the girls took many car trips out west when the family was younger. Orville and Marilyn enjoyed annual trips to Florida, Branson, the Hostfest, and the Minnesota State Fair. After Marilyn’s death, Orville still enjoyed many of these same places, as well as an Alaskan cruise at the age of 86. His interests have included attending Prowler and Norskies hockey games, watching the Minnesota Twins, golfing, square dancing, reading, going out for potato klub and to lutefisk suppers, and attending threshing bees around the area. He loved old cars and had a great memory for the makes and years of cars. Orville loved working on wood projects and making bird houses with Marilyn and also enjoyed making clocks out of hubcaps. He was great at fixing things around the house and for other people. Orville had the great privilege of being able to participate in the Veterans Honor Flight to Washington D.C. this past May. Orville was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was deeply loved and will be missed by all.
Orville is survived by daughters Barbara (Tony) Vik of Woodbury, MN; Bette (Michael) Jorgenson of Thief River Falls; and Paula Hanson (Kelly Rice) of Richfield, MN; grandchildren Alissa Vik of Bergan, Norway; Kayla (Josh) Salber of Hawley, MN; Jenna (David) Bonofiglio of Milwaukee, WI; Andrew (Kalynn) Gallagher of Thief River Falls; Bryan Vik of Woodbury, MN; Karlee Jorgenson of Winston-Salem, NC; Elle Jorgenson of Moorhead, MN; great-grandchildren Daphne, Gabriel, Piper, and Henry Salber of Hawley, MN and Kyiah Gallagher of Thief River Falls; brother Elmer A. Hanson of Brooks, MN, sisters-in-law Ruth Mandt of McIntosh, MN; Pearl Johnson of McIntosh, MN; brother-in-law Al Taylor of Seattle, WA; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and “furry friend,” Lola.
He is preceded in death by his parents, father- and mother-in-law Johnnie I. and Stella Johnson; his loving wife Marilyn; brothers-in-law Eilert Hoem, Robert Johnson, Russell Johnson, and Albert Mandt; sisters-in-law Doris Hanson, Hazel Johnson, Barbara Johnson, Laura Johnson, Lila Hoem, and Shirley Taylor. He is also preceded in death by many “furry friends”--Reba, Ronna, Cody, and Lexie.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
