Orville Riessen

Orville August Riessen was born March 14, 1921, the son of George and Ella Ericksen Riessen. He died Wednesday, June 15, 2011, at the Denison Health Care Center in Denison, Iowa, at the age of ninety.
Orville was born on a farm near Schleswig, Iowa. He was baptized in Christ on June 12, 1921, and confirmed on February 23, 1936, at Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church in Schleswig, Iowa. He received his education in rural Ida County schools. He worked on the family farm until his mid-teens, and then began working for other area farmers. He also worked for the Adams Ranch near Odebolt, Iowa. In the early days of his farming career, he began farming with horses and saw many changes in this profession throughout his life. March 7, 1943, he was united in marriage to Marie Henning at St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak. The couple purchased the family farm and farmed until 1977. The couple was blessed with the birth of two children. After retiring from farming, he and Marie worked for Motel 6 Company, managing properties for 10 years in Columbus, Georgia, and Manhattan, Kansas.
He lived a happy life, socializing with his family and friends, and was a good steward of the land. In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing cards, dancing to polkas, eating good food, and watching old Westerns, including Bonanza, Have Gun Will Travel, and John Wayne films.
Orville was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Raymond, Leonard and Milo; two brothers-in-law, Lawrence and Arlo; two sisters-in-law: Katie and her husband, Jake; and Hildagard, and her husbands, Carl and Roy. He is survived by his wife, Marie; his daughter, Jean and her husband, John; his son, Jerald; two grandchildren: Bryce and his wife, Jessica and children, Logan and DJ; and Michael and his wife,Tara and their daughter, Lillian; five step-grandchildren and families; two sisters: Florence; and Arlene; one brother, Arlo and his wife, Marlys; two sisters-in-law: Elvira; and Ruth; other relatives and friends.