Charles A. Orvis

Charles Orvis, age 74, of Lawler, IA died of natural causes peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, July 30, 2013. Charles Albert Orvis was born on September 23, 1938 at rural New Hampton, IA, the son of Haskel and Anna (Kjarvik) Orvis. Charles was raised with a strong Norwegian upbringing on the Kjarvik family farm north of Lawler by Anna’s parents, Knut and Bessie and her brothers and sisters, Jack, Bud, Elmer, Clara and Louise. He was baptized and confirmed at Crane Creek Lutheran Church (Immanuel) of rural Lawler where he was a lifetime member. Charles attended country school at Utica #4 which is located at the corner of the Kjarvik farm. He attended New Hampton High School graduating in 1956. On June 3, 1961, Charles was united in marriage to Karen Hilbert at First Methodist Church, Waterloo, IA. They were blessed with four children. Charles worked at several jobs in Waterloo before heading back north to work with his uncles, Jack, Bud and Elmer on the family farm. On December 5, 1961, Charles was inducted into the US Army. He trained in Colorado and in California where Karen joined him. They moved to Ft. Hood, TX where Jack was born in 1962. He was fortunate to have strong math and typing skills as this landed him a military clerk’s job. He was discharged from active duty in September 1963 and served in the reserves for four more years. He returned to join the family farm operation where David, Tim and Karla joined the family. Most people knew him as Charlie or Chuck whether it be at the sale barn, slow pitch softball, bowling, deer hunting, fishing, sporting events, the coffee shop, or maybe an occasional card game. Charlie especially enjoyed organizing the annual fishing trip to Canada at Booi’s Fly-In Lodge. Charlie enjoyed being a farmer, especially raising cattle. He loved catching up on the news with his friends every morning for coffee at the Hole in the Wall and Bucky’s and then off to Little Turkey for cards. He battled many health problems since 1999 which forced him to quit actively farming and move to Lawler with Karen in 2006. He may have moved off the farm but his heart never left it. He checked the markets on his daily trip to C.A.S.H and helped out his sons on the farm whenever he could. He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially shined as “Grandpa Charlie”. Charlie is survived by his wife Karen, of 52 years; his children Jack (Verna) of Lawler, David (Arleen) of Calmar, IA, Tim (Tina) of Lawler, and Karla (Steve) Gilbert of New Hampton, IA; ten grandchildren Sarah (Kyle) Renn, Amanda (Barry) Reicks, Rachel Orvis, Michelle and Kaitlyn Orvis, Ethan and Jonah Orvis, and Kayla, Nolan and Ben Gilbert; five great grandchildren Jack and Abel Renn, Jaila and Amelia Reicks and Addalyn Nesbitt. He is also survived by his two sisters, Beverly (Gene) Johnson of Waterloo and Connie (Denny) Gewecke of Vinton, IA; and aunt Emma Rolfes of Keystone, IA; along with his in-laws Bill (Jean) Hilbert of Waverly, IA, Don (Teresa) Hilbert of Ankeny, IA and Marcia Hilbert of Manchester, IA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Haskel and (Kathy) Orvis and Anna Orvis, grandparents, his uncles and aunts, Jack, Bud, Elmer, Clara and Louise Kjarvik, Sally and Jim Schares and Leo Rolfes, as well as Karen’s parents, Harry and Margueritte Hilbert and his brother-in-law Rick Hilbert. Cemetery: Burial will follow the funeral service on Friday at Crane Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00pm on Thursday, August 1, 2013 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in New Hampton, IA and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday. Funeral services for Charles will be held at 10:30am on Friday, August 2, 2013 at Crane Creek Immanuel Lutheran Church located at 2616 140th Street, Lawler, Iowa with Pastor Vincent Fricke officiating.