Orville Kveno

Orville Kveno, age 88, of both Mahnomen, MN, and Santa Barbara, CA, died Sunday, March 23, 2008, at Luverne, MN. Orville was born September 12, 1919, the son of Halvor and Regina (Noss) Kveno in Gary, MN. His grandma Ambjor, a midwife, lovingly delivered him into her arms. He was baptized and confirmed at Ness Lutheran Church near Gary. Orville attended country school at Bear Park Township through the eighth grade and then attended four years of high school at Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN. After high school, he was accepted to Dunwoody Institute and was planning to study electricity but due to his father's failing health, Orville returned to the farm. On November 9, 1941, Orville was united in marriage to Janet Trontvet in a double wedding ceremony with her brother, Norris and Dorothy Trontvet, at Ecklund Lutheran Church near Goodridge, MN. Orville and Janet farmed in Bear Park Township from 1941 until 1975. Family always came first in their lives and the farm was a good place to raise their family. They moved to Santa Barbara, CA, in 1975, where they were caregivers for Orville's aunt. After Janet's death in 2003, he continued to live in Mahnomen but spent his winters in Santa Barbara. Orville loved visiting with family and friends. He especially enjoyed coffee with his friends at the Red Apple Café and Senior Meals in Mahnomen, as well as at McDonald's in Santa Barbara. He was active with the Bear Park Township board for many years. Orville was also a member of the Alumni Association of the University of Minnesota, Crookston and proudly attended his 70th class reunion in 2006. While in the warm climate of Santa Barbara, Orville liked to be outside gardening and doing orchard work. Through the years, he also spent many hours hunting, fishing, reading and traveling. Orville's faith was an important part of his life. He was a lifetime member of Ness Lutheran Church and an associate member of Grace Lutheran Church in Santa Barbara. He loved animals and had a special bond with them. Orville had a gentle heart and always showed so much compassion for others. He cherished his family and was very involved with each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He often gave out hugs and tenderly spoke the Norwegian term of endearment "jeg elsker deg"(I love you) to those he cared about. His stories, visits, and friendship will be missed by many. Orville is survived by one son, Harry (Kim) Kveno of Gary, MN; two daughters, Janice (Larry) Nelson of Luverne, MN, and Mary (Paul) Hoppestad of Mahnomen, MN; six grandchildren: Jeff (Stephanie) Nelson of Calgary, Alberta, Becky (Chad) Olson of Sioux Falls, SD, Seth (Kristen) Kveno of New Ulm, MN, Sara (Andrew Klein) of Dodge Center, MN, Samantha (Eric Stock) of Moorhead, MN, and Sean Kveno of Gary, MN; six great grandchildren: Ashley and Jack Nelson of Calgary, Anna and Eli Olson of Sioux Falls, and Peyton and Lauren Kveno of New Ulm; and a brother-in-law, Orville (Bobbie) Trontvet of Grand Forks, ND.

Orville Kveno

December 19, 1919 - March 23, 2008