Orval Steinmetz — Harmony

Orval Steinmetz, 85, of Harmony, passed away Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis.

Funeral services for Orval D. Steinmetz will be held Monday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m. at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony, with the Rev. Cory Moss officiating. Burial of cremains will take place at Prairie Queen Cemetery in rural Preston.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony, and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday.

Orval was born on the family farm on Morningstar Ridge in rural La Farge, Wis., on Aug. 25, 1929, to Bert and Gladys (Wilson) Steinmetz. He attended Morningstar School and Hillsboro High School. He began his career with Dairyland Power in July, 1949, as a construction lineman traveling Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. On Sept. 2, 1949, Orval was united in marriage to Bernice Stanek in Viroqua, Wis. After transferring to a maintenance position with Dairyland Power, he moved to Harmony in January 1964 and continued until his retirement after 43 years in 1992.

In addition to being a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, golfing and fishing were a few of Orval's favorite pastimes. He especially enjoyed these hobbies during numerous trips to Baudette. Orval was also a member of the Harmony Golf Club and had served on three fire departments in Postville, Iowa, Hillsboro, Wis., and Harmony. His unique skill at playing cards and cribbage were several of his most well known attributes. Orval's quick wit and hearty laugh often brought joy to those of us who knew him. Upon his retirement, Orval and Bernice wintered in Haines City, Fla., for 16 years where they formed many new friendships.

Orval is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bernice; two sons, Tom of Owatonna and Jim (Danette) of Spring Valley; daughter-in-law, Dianna Steinmetz of New Ulm; sister, Beverly Miller of Viola, Wis.; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Larry and granddaughter, Tammy.