Orvis Wermager

Orvis D. Wermager, 72, Twin Valley, Minnesota died Saturday in the Palliative Care unit of MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota. Orvis was born May 30, 1935, in Gary, Minnesota, the son of Clarence and Alice ( Bjorge) Wermager. As a child he moved to Ada, Minnesota, with his family where he grew up and attended school. The family moved to Twin Valley in 1949. At the age of 16 Orvis joined the Navy. He served on the USS Randolph, an aircraft carrier throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. After his discharge he lived in Seattle, Washington, a few years where he worked for Boeing Aircraft. In the early 1960’s, he moved to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. On August 21, 1965, Orvis was united in marriage to Nadine Swanson in Minneapolis, where the couple made their home while Orvis was employed for Plywood Minnesota working for Senator Rudy Boschwitz. In 1968, he opened the original Plywood Dakota in Fargo, North Dakota He also worked as a regional manager in the states of Iowa and Nebraska and finally had his own franchise in Alexandria, Minnesota. In the mid 1980’s, Orvis worked with American Woodmark in Alexandria in sales and design department. During that time he also owned and operated two restaurants and a home improvement store and also worked for Creative Cabinets. Another business that Orvis will long be remembered for was the Snak Shak, a concession stand found during the summers at county fairs and most area community functions throughout the region. His homemade french fries were always a big hit for the crowds of people that came to his stand. In 1992, they moved to Twin Valley to semi retire, but continued to operate the Snak Shak until last year. Also for the past several years he worked part-time in the Buckle’s Hardware Store in Twin Valley. Orvis enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a talented woodworker. After their move to Twin Valley they spent several winters in Arizona. He was also active in this community volunteering for Meals on Wheels and for the Twin Valley Living Center Caring Community. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, of the American Legion and a past member of the Elks Club. Orvis is survived by his wife, Nadine, Twin Valley, MN; a daughter, Angela (Ira) Mitchell, Eagan, MN; sons Randy, (Sheri) Hartland, WI and Jeff (Stacy), St. Michael, MN; a brother, Jerry (Nancy) Audubon, MN; sisters, Clarice Foster, Elbow Lake, MN, Patty Murphy, Bolder City, NV and Carolyn Yehlik, New Richmond, WI; seven grandchildren, Ryan and Jared Wermager, Braden and Gavin Wermager, and Field, Owen and Asher Mitchell and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial services was held Wednesday, April 9th at 10:30am in the Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Minnesota. Pastor Charlie Bade officiated. Danette Gwin served as organist with Monica Winter as soloist. His two oldest grandsons, Ryan and Jared Wermager, served as urnbearers. The honorary bearers were the rest of his grandchildren, Braden and Gavin Wermager, and Field, Owen and Asher Mitchell. Military rites were provided by the Twin Valley Nesseth Lien Post # 431 of the American Legion. Inurnment was in the Twin Valley Memorial Gardens, Twin Valley, MN.

Orvis Wermager

May 30, 1935 - April 5, 2008