Service Information
Orvilla Gebhardt, age 89, of Glencoe, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021, at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe.
Graveside Service for Orvilla’s family and close friends will be Saturday, September 18, 2021, 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Lester Prairie.
Due to limited seating, please bring a chair.
Memorials preferred to Aveyron Homes, Inc (222 5th Ave NW, Hutchinson, MN 55350) or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (77 2nd Ave S, Lester Prairie, MN 55354).
Obituary
Orvilla Elizabeth Lydia (Hedtke) Gebhardt was born on August 28, 1932, in Camden Township, Carver County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Fred and Aletta (Schurmann) Hedtke. Orvilla was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on April 14, 1946, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in New Germany. Orvilla received her education at the parochial school in New Germany and graduated with the Central High School Class of 1950 in Norwood Young America. After her graduation, she resided in Hutchinson, MN, where she made several lifelong friendships while working as a waitress at the Hutch Café.
On October 30, 1956, Orvilla was united in marriage to Emmert John Gebhardt at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in New Germany, MN. Orvilla and Emmert made their home on Emmert’s family farm near Glencoe, MN. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Jane, Alan, and LeAnn. They shared over 35 years of marriage together until Emmert passed away on October 20, 1992.
Orvilla was a loving housewife and assisted Emmert on the family farm. Orvilla was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, MN. She enjoyed planting and caring for her flowers, gardening, and traveling. She enjoyed reading and learning about religion, politics, and historical events. She was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings, as well as loved listening to her favorite radio programs. She loved to be social, and she treasured her time spent with family, friends, and others she met in the community.
Orvilla passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021, at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe at the age of 89 years. Blessed be her memory.
Orvilla is survived by her daughter, Jane Gebhardt of Hutchinson, MN; daughter, LeAnn and son-in law, David Kurth of Burnsville, MN; granddaughter, Coryn Kurth of Burnsville, MN; brother, Alvin Hedtke and his wife, Shirley of New Germany, MN; sister, Myra Nagel and her husband, Gerald of Belle Plaine, MN; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Orvilla is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Aletta Hedtke; husband, Emmert Gebhardt; son, Alan Gebhardt; brother, Donald Hedtke and his wife, Evangeline; sister, Joann Hedtke; sisters-in-law and brothers- in-law, Cleora Rolf, Albin and Mildred Stenzel, Gordon and Audrey Stenzel, Marcella and Ortwin Ostlie, Cordella and Alvin Schultz, and Loren Gebhardt.
Thomas Stenzel says
LeAnn, David, Coryn and Jane,
I was sad to hear of the loss of my Aunt Orvilla. She liked conversation. I recall her cards to us. She was caring to my dad and mom, especially to my mom. Emmert was my baptismal sponsor. I recall them coming by shortly after their wedding. It has stuck in my mind to see then their happiness. I hope that the thoughts and memories of others are blessing you. May God comfort and console each of you.
Matthias Waldner says
LeAnn, Jane, David and Coryn,
you dont know me. I am Matthias from Germany from the connection around Aletta Hedtke (Schuermann). I visitied Minnesota in 1990 and met the whole family there and of course Orvilla, Emmert and Alan. Orvilla was a faithful soul, wrote every december a letter.
My heartfeld condolences for your loss.
Matthias
Gloria Schmidt says
Today we said good-bye to our dear Aunt Orvilla. Many memories have been thought of and shared among our extended family.
As a kid I remember going to visit Emmert and Orvilla on their farm. I can still picture the big white barn and parts of the house – her corn dishes collection and the little nook off the kitchen where she made supper for us before we left. Meals usually included baked beans in, I think, a milky green glass bowl. I also remember going with Mom to meet Orvilla in Hutchinson for shopping days. The ladies were excited to go through the many and varied stores; I was hoping for maybe a new outfit and waiting for a yummy lunch in the cafe.
Our German heritage was special to her and all of our family because our Grandma Aletta (affectionately referred by Orvilla as “My Ma”) came to the U.S. from Germany when she was just a young girl. Grandma’s family stayed in Germany, but there was often German speaking happening when we’d all get together. Our Grandpa Fred’s side of the family was also of German descent. So German items, decorations, and traditions were some things Orvilla enjoyed. We all enjoyed hearing and dancing to polka music with Emmert and the band. Last summer Orvilla, Alvin, and Myra, along with a few others of us, had the opportunity to go through their Grandmother Elizabeth’s former home. Many stories were recalled as we went through the different rooms and walked through the yard. I am so happy they were able to experience that day with each other.
Orvilla was always so thoughtful of everyone – asking how we were all doing and interested to hear what was going on in our lives. She loved to visit, share stories of family or history events, and laugh. She wasn’t afraid to give advice or share her opinion. She made a point to attend whatever she could, and if the drive was too far for her, someone always made the effort to be sure she would get there and home again. The last time I was able to see her was for my son and his wife’s wedding shower at the end of June. That is also the last picture I took of her – what a beautiful smile. She was looking forward to another family wedding Labor Day weekend and celebrating with my Mom. We were all so disappointed that she couldn’t be there and joked about photo-shopping her into some of the pictures. We thought we’d see her again soon. I believe she purposely waited to go to Heaven until the weekend was complete so her sister could enjoy all the wedding festivities. We got a phone call about the severity of Orvilla’s health just after we left the last event on Sunday.
Orvilla, you were such a blessing to our family. You are going to be so greatly missed, but your forever joy with Jesus and all the family who were waiting for you makes us so happy. Sending much love to Jane, LeAnn, Coryn, and David.
Until we meet again…