New Richmond:
(715) 243-5252  |  
River Falls:
(715) 425-8788

Orville Meland 10/27/2020

Orville E. Meland Orville, age 93, of River Falls passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the Hammond Health Services Facility in Hammond, WI.  He was born on November 11, 1926, the son of Olaf and Ellen (Fjestad) in Minneapolis, MN. At an early age, his family moved to a rustic farm in Northern Minnesota until, returning to Minneapolis where he attended city schools. He graduated from South High School in 1944. Shortly thereafter, Orville enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Naval Air Transport Service as a flight-crew member in the Pacific through to the end of World War II. In 1948, he entered the US Air Force serving as NCOIC of an Officer’s club, assistant wing sergeant-major, and an AFROTC instructor at the Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI. Following the Korean conflict, Orville returned to civilian life, taking residence in the Twin Cities and attending Augsburg College for a year.

On June 11th, 1960, in a double-couple service at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, he married Darlene Ellefson, from Barron, WI. Following their marriage, Darlene and Orville moved to Barron, WI, where he worked for Gustafson Ice Cream Company. Later they moved to River Falls where Orville attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English and satisfying the requirement for certification in secondary education. He continued his education attending University of Wisconsin-Stout, Mankato State University, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Continuing to live in River Falls, Orville began his teaching career in Woodville, WI, serving there for two years after which he accepted positions in several Twin Cities schools, among them: Highland Park Junior High, Central High School, and Harding High School in Saint Paul, MN. In the latter two, he served as the audio-visual specialist for the faculty. During these years, he and Darlene welcomed their daughter, Karen into their family, along with their grandchildren, Cody and Amanda.

In retirement, Orville continued to enjoy many of the relationship sand activities that had characterized much of his life-especially those he shared with his wife, Darlene; his daughter, Karen; and grandchildren, Cody and Amanda. He and Darlene traveled widely in the United States and took several trips to Europe-with the greatest interest focused on Norway. He spent many hours working on projects around their house, among them, the building of a deck, and making wooden gifts he gave away. He enjoyed reading, especially classical literature, and listening to music of the same kind. He served as a housing inspector for the City of River Falls and was active in community activities. Orville deeply valued the relationships that he had fostered throughout his life—affirming the goodness of those he had known. He was a long-time member of the American Legion, Fletcher-Pechacek Post 121, and regularly attended and enjoyed the Friday morning coffee hours spent among his friends there. He was a member of Ezekiel Lutheran Church, and, for as long as he could walk, present, with Darlene, at worship services, Bible studies, and other activities sponsored by the congregation.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Ellan Meland; and his older brother, Alden. He is survived by his wife, Darlene; daughter, Karen; grandchildren, Cody and Amanda; several nieces and one nephew; and a host of friends.

A memorial service was held on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Glen Park Pavilion (guests are asked to dress for the outdoors).  Visitation was also on Friday from 1-2 pm at the Pavilion.  Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery with military honors performed by the River Falls American Legion Post #121.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

11 Comments

  • Jeanette and warren Posted October 27, 2020 5:46 pm

    Darlene, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Orv will be missed. He was a good friend. Jeanette and Warren

  • Mary V Finkelson Posted October 28, 2020 9:42 pm

    Sorry for your loss!

  • Caren and Neal.Prochnow Posted October 28, 2020 11:18 pm

    Our thoughts and.prayers are with you Darlene. He touched so many lives and he will be greatlly missed.

  • Alex Adkins, PT Posted October 29, 2020 8:20 pm

    Darlene, on behalf of all of us at Courage Kenny, we will definitely miss seeing Orv at the Wellness Center. You showed him such great love over the years and were so kind. I absolutely adored visiting with him – know he will be truly missed.

  • Marilyn Bostrack Posted October 29, 2020 9:22 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with you, Ifthere is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to call me,
    ,

  • Richard L. Timmerman Posted October 30, 2020 4:55 pm

    One reason I held Orv Meland in high esteem was that he showed great respect to veterans from all times and eras of service, not just his own. He was a gentleman.

  • Kathy and Swede Svoboda Posted October 30, 2020 7:22 pm

    Darlene, we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Cherish all your memories and know that Orv is by your side always.

  • Linda Randall Posted October 30, 2020 11:13 pm

    Darlene, Karen and family: My condolences to all of you as you miss Orv. I will remember his kindness as he displayed such a friendly disposition. He would love to make people laugh and I would feel welcomed in his presence. He was a man of great faith which I admired. It was a privilege to know him.

  • David Wittig Posted November 2, 2020 2:23 pm

    Orv was a great Christian, I always enjoyed visiting with him, at the Wellness center, at Ace, or at Lutheran Brotherhood gatherings.

  • David a d Jo-Ann Woeste Posted November 2, 2020 6:03 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I always enjoyed visiting with Orv. 🙏🙏

  • Tom Brooks Posted November 3, 2020 8:10 pm

    What great tribute for “Uncle Orv”. He was always so kind to my sister and I. He had such a great life.
    Tons of love to you all.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *