Orval Bondhus, age 89, of Storden passed away Monday August 1, 2011 at Sogge Good Samaritan Care Center in Windom. 

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2011 at Amo Lutheran Church in rural Storden. 

Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Storden Community Center and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Burial is in the church cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

 Orval Le Roy Bondhus was born January 4, 1922 in Sioux City, Iowa to Herman and Eldora (Valen) Bondhus.  He was baptized and confirmed at Amo Lutheran Church, rural Storden.  He attended country school Districts #76 and #24, and graduated from Storden High School in 1940.  Orval was united in marriage to Yvonne Schollian on December 5, 1947.  This union was blessed by three children: Bruce, Linda, and Barry.  Yvonne passed away on May 23, 1964.  Orval married Carolyn Sheldon on March 29, 1969, and a daughter, Dawn, was born to this couple.  Orval was a farmer, and continued to farm up until the last years of his life.  During WWII, he served his country by staying on the farm as he and his father, Herman, were deemed so proficient at farm production.  The farm received electricity as a result of Orval and Herman stringing the power lines for their area.  Orval was very proud of the fact that his grandfather broke the sod in Amo Township, and the farm received the Century Farm Award in 1994.  Orval’s favorite activity was his passion – farming.  He was a personal friend to several agricultural artists and authors and greatly enjoyed their work.  Other favorite activities of Orval’s were reading, tracking family and land records, following his genealogy, and corresponding with family members all over the U.S. and Norway.  In keeping with the strong ties to his heritage, he was a longtime member of the Sons of Norway and Vestlandslag.  Orval was a lifelong member of Amo Lutheran Church, active on the church council, and served as Treasurer for the Amo Lutheran Cemetery Association for over 30 years.

 

Orval is survived by his wife Carolyn of Storden; children: Bruce (Karen Hall) of Storden, Linda (Charles) Becker of Lincoln, NE, Barry (Jan Wilson) of Storden, Dawn (Quinton) Bondhus Mueller of St. Lawrence, WI; 3 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 1 niece; 2 nephews; and brother-in-law Vernon Grinde of Tracy.  He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Yvonne, sister Ruth Grinde, and infant sister Eunice.