Orville Louis Wahl, age 75 of Baldwin, died peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2013 at the Baldwin Area Medical Center. Orville was born at home on June 17, 1938, at his lifelong home south of Baldwin to Roland and Elsie Wahl. He attended grade school at the one-room, Riverside School in Eau Galle Township and Baldwin High School. As a young man he went to work for Arbor Rose Dairies in Scappoose, Oregon. He returned to the Midwest and worked at Northrup King Seeds in Minneapolis, Armour Packing Co. in South Saint Paul, MN, Sheehy Construction Co. in St. Paul, Melgard Monument Co. in River Falls, Wisconsin, Village of Baldwin, and for 31 years at Donaldson’s Co. in Baldwin. He also farmed most of these 31 years–first in dairy farming and then raising beef cattle. He served his country in the Army National Guard for 18 months, stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo; Ft. Ord, CA; and Ft. Lewis, WA. He was united in marriage to Marlene Rud on August 25, 1962. This union was blessed with four daughters. He spent the last seven months of his life as a resident of Park View Nursing Home. He was preceded in death by his parents, a younger brother Jon, and brother LeRoy.

Other than farming, one of his favorite activities was painting a variety of things around the farm. He really enjoyed giving things a fresh look. Most of his time was spent close to home tending to his farm and working full-time. After retirement, he and Marlene enjoyed spending time with their four daughters and their families.

He leaves to mourn: his wife of 51 years, Marlene, children Wanda (Adam) Alsleben, Glencoe, MN; Brenda (Richard) Rhoten, Elko-New Market, MN; Debra (Randy) Ober, Glencoe, MN; Lisa (Kenneth) Hollern, New Richmond, WI; and 12 lovely grandchildren, Brandon, Luke, and Jared Alsleben; Rachel, Alyssa, and Martina Rhoten; Dylan, Katelyn, and Logan Ober; LCPL Mitchell, PFC Connor, and Brianna Hollern. He is survived by one sister, Geraldine (Kenneth) Lokhorst, New Richmond, WI, and their four daughters.

Funeral service for Orville will be 3:00PM Sunday, September 22 at Peace Lutheran Church in Baldwin. Burial will be in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery with Brandon Alsleben, Luke Alsleben, Jared Alsleben, PFC Connor Hollern, LCPL Mitchell Hollern, and Dylan Ober being active casketbearers with Brian Wang, Jackie & Doug Mathison, Margie Blaha, Gail Smith, Linda Bonte, Rachel Rhoten, Alyssa Rhoten, Martina Rhoten, Katelyn Ober, Logan Ober, and Brianna Hollern as honorary casketbearers. Visitation will be on Saturday from 4:00-7:00PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin, as well as one hour prior to the service at church Sunday afternoon.