Orville Skorseth - Astoria

Jan. 27, 1919 – Dec. 5, 2017

Posted

Orville Skorseth,  98, of Astoria,  died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at the Hendricks Nursing Home in Hendricks, Minnesota.  

Funeral services are 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Astoria.  Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m.  Friday at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Astoria.  Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service the church.  Burial is at the East Highland Cemetery rural Astoria. Houseman Funeral Home of Clear Lake is entrusted with the arrangements.

Orville Kenneth Skorseth was born on a farm near Park Rapids, Minnesota, on Jan. 27, 1919.  He was the first son and fourth child of six children born to Norwegian immigrants, Oluf and Kristina (Bakken) Skorseth.  He attended country schools near Stony Lake and later at Dorsett east of Park Rapids.  Orville did not have the opportunity to go to high school and went to work for farmers at age 15 in 1934 in the midst of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl.  In 1940, he moved near Porter, Minnesota and continued farm work.  Orville was drafted into the Army in June of 1941 and served until discharge on Dec. 7, 1945.  

During the war, Orville met Lucy Marie Kimberling while on furlough in Kansas City, Missouri.  Orville and Marie were married at her parents’ home near Jamesport, Missouri on March 21, 1946.  Orville continued farm work after the war in the Canby, Minnesota area.  In 1948 he began farming on his ow,n in partnership with his brother, Harry, in the Lake Cochrane community.  Orville and Marie had three children, Kenneth, Jean and Lyle.  He was  active in the community serving on the Norden Township board, the Spring Dell School board, the Deuel County Zoning Commission and the East Highland Church board.  

In September 1983, Orville and Marie retired and moved to their home in Astoria.  Orville continued doing part time work for local farmers and also worked on the Winchester Place Thoroughbred horse farm. He simply could not stand boredom and was always busy.  Working and doing things well were his greatest pleasure in life.  Orville received his last paycheck for work when he was 95 years old.  He continued community service and was once honored as the “Volunteer of the Year” by the Astoria Community Club. He also did volunteer work at the Deubrook Elementary School and was active in the Bakken-Engen Legion Post 103. A highlight for Orville was to be on an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. for WWII veterans in 2014. 

Orville moved to Hendricks, Minnesota, in March of 2017.   

Orville is survived by his children, Ken (Dianne) Skorseth Jr. of Gary, Jean Skorseth and Lyle Skorseth (Kris) of Hendricks; a  sister, Edna Domholt, of Park Rapids, Minnesota; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and extended family.  

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marie, sisters Alvilde, Clara and Olva and his brother Harry.   

Orville’s wish is for memorials to be given to the East Highland Cemetery Association.