John R. Orvik, 69, Casselton, ND, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, in his home, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, after a very courageous battle with nerve cancer.
John was born at his home in Nielsville, MN, on August 30, 1940, to Obert and Carol (Aalgaard) Orvik. He went to grade school in Nielsville and graduated from high school in Halstad, MN, in 1958. He then joined the Navy, did his basic training in Great Lakes, IL and later spent two years in Bermuda. John started work with AT&T in 1963, in Fargo, ND and then transferred to Casselton, ND. He married Judy Wirkkunen of Gackle, ND, on February 6, 1965. They moved to Casselton, ND, in the fall of 1966 and have lived there for the past 44 years. John retired from AT&T in 1998, after 35 years of service.
Many winters were spent in Florence, AZ, which he really enjoyed. He also liked remodeling projects around the house, working on TV's, doing crossword puzzles, watching movies and listening to his large collection of old radio shows.
He was a member of Martin's Lutheran Church, Casselton, Rugg-Heille - American Legion Post #15, Casselton, Amvets and the Telephone Pioneers.
John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy, Casselton, ND; son, Richard Orvik (Rachel Butler), Fargo, ND; daughter, Catherine Orvik (Terry Romine) and Zone, Fargo, ND; sister, Darlene Ruthenberg, East Grand Forks, MN; brother, Larry (Jan) Orvik, Crookston, MN; two nephews, Zach and Alex Orvik; two nieces, Sandra (Elroy) Hedde, Buxton, ND and Debra (Bruce) Sondrol, Rochester, MN; mother-in-law, Ellen Wirkkunen, Jamestown, ND; brother-in-law, Leslie (Rosalina) Wirkkunen and Christian Endo, Germantown, MD; sister-in-law, Diane (Michael) Schindeldecker and Shane Hofmann (Tracie Dale), New Prague, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Obert and Carol Orvik and brother-in-law, Roger Ruthenberg and father-in-law, Irving Wirkkunen..
Visitation: Sunday from 5 to 7 in West Funeral Home, Casselton, ND and one hour before the service in the church.
Funeral Service: Monday, Feb 1, 2010 at 10:30 in Martin's Lutheran Church, Casselton, ND.
Condolences can be sent online westfuneralhome.com
Casselton, N.D. —
