Orville Polzin

Obituary

Orville Elmer Polzin was born on May 25, 1934, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Leonard and Arlena (Alsleben) Polzin. Orville was baptized as an infant on May 25, 1934, in the Glencoe Hospital and was later confirmed in his faith in the German language as a youth on March 21, 1948, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Auburn by Pastor Mueller. He received his education at Henry Hill School in Glencoe through the 10^th grade. Orville then started farming at age 16, when his father was injured in a farming accident. He continued to farm for 47 years until 1993. In 1993 they moved to New Auburn Township.

On June 6, 1955, Orville was united in marriage to Bernice Boelter at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm. When he retired from farming, Orville was employed at the Sibley County Courthouse and Human Services Building as a janitor for 22 years, retiring in 2016. Orville and Bernice were blessed with six children, Brion, David, Neal, Monica, Kevin, Steven. They shared 68 years of marriage.

Orville was a lifelong member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Auburn and served on the church council for eight years as Benevolence Treasurer. He was on the Creamery Board in New Auburn for more than 20 years, was a charter member of the New Auburn Lions for more than 30 years, was the Treasurer for High Island Watershed Board for 40 years, and was a supervisor for New Auburn Township for 38 years.

Orville enjoyed collecting caps, and his collection grew to over 70 of them. Orville loved dancing, traveling, reading, deer hunting, playing cards with family and friends, and watching TV. He had a lake home by Pequot Lakes and enjoyed taking his children, grandchildren and friends out fishing. Orville also had a motor home in Tucson, Arizona, where they would spend about two weeks in the winter. He enjoyed going out to the farm to watch the boys do the planting and harvesting. Orville cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Orville passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at his home surrounded by family in Gaylord at the age of 89 years. Blessed be his memory.

Orville is survived by his:
Wife,                Bernice Polzin of Gaylord, MN;
Children,           Brion Polzin and his wife, Renee of Glencoe, MN,
                        David Polzin and his wife, Darlene of Glencoe, MN,
                        Neal Polzin and his friend, Jennifer Williams of Gettysburg, PA,
                        Monica Beneke and her husband, John of Hamburg, MN, and
                        Kevin Polzin and his wife, Shari of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Jennifer Lenz and her friend, Larry, Andrew Polzin and his wife, Nicole, Tyler Polzin and his wife, Brittany, Mitchel Polzin and his fiancé, Ingrid Werner, Liv Moody and her husband, AJ, Everett Polzin, Alyssa Beneke and her fiancée, Cody Mielke, Kelly Frauendienst and her husband, Austin, Kyle Polzin and his wife, Jessica, Kole Polzin and his wife, Courtney;
Great-great grandchildren, Alex, Brookelynn, Baby Levi;
Brother, Gary Polzin and his wife, Debbie of Glencoe, MN;
Sisters-in-law, Irene Vogel of Courtland, MN, Marion Brueske of New Ulm, MN, and Geneva Thomas of Marshall, MN;
Brother-in-law, Erwin Boelter of New Ulm, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Orville was preceded in death by his Parents, Leonard and Arlena Polzin; Son, Steven Polzin as an infant; In-laws, Delores and Emery Langhoff, Lorraine and Elmo Krohn, Frances and Floyd Miller, Vernon Vogel, Leroy Brueske, Clyde Thomas, Agnes Langhoff and Hillard Alsleben.