Services for Orvis Nordby

Orvis Nordby, 85, of Grygla, MN passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND with his loving family at his side.

 Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN with Rev. Vicki Saude Worthington officiating.  Burial will follow at Valle Cemetery, Benville Township, rural Grygla, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church.

Orvis Parker Nordby was born on February 4, 1933 at home on the south Nordby farm in Benville Township, Beltrami County, MN the son of Arthur and Dorothy (Tweten) Nordby.  He was baptized March 2, 1933 at Valle Lutheran Church and confirmed August 31, 1947 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN.  Orvis graduated 8th grade at Sandsmark School, received his GED in 1968 from Roseau High School.

On February 14, 1959, Orvis was united in marriage to Shirley Brateng at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN.  To this union two sons were born Paul and John.  The family traveled for jobs to several places in the United States and in 1972 moved back to the farm, where Orvis’ heart always stayed.  They took over the farm from his parents and farmed until they moved to Grygla after retiring in 2004.  Orvis was so very proud of his sons, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He always loved company and was a very gracious host.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand to all friends and relations, and anyone else in need.  His big dream was to win the lottery and become rich enough to hand out money on the street corner.  Orvis enjoyed baseball, watching his grandchildren learn, grow and play ball, quilting, adult coloring, and playing cards.  He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and member of the Grygla Lion’s Club for many years.

Survivors include his loving wife, Shirley of 59 years of Grygla; son, Paul (Tammy) Nordby of Grygla; son John (Teresa) Nordby of Blaine, MN; grandchildren, Gavin (Tera) Nordby, Tony (Courtney) Nordby, Kristen Nordby, Kyle Nordby; great-grandchildren, Hailey Knutson, Landon Nordby, Mauer Nordby, McCoy Nordby; siblings, Ardith Erickson, Roy (Joy) Nordby, Marie Konickson, Carol (Leland) Lee; aunt, Alice Hyland; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by parents; brothers-in-law, Jerry Erickson and Wayne Konickson and one nephew, Dayle Anderson.

We will all miss him.  May his memory be blessed.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com