Orville Willms, age 90, of Red Oak, Iowa passed away Saturday, July 29, 2006 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Orville John Willms was born December 5, 1915 in Millard, Nebraska the son of Herman and Alma (Jensen) Willms. He was raised in rural Douglas County, Nebraska graduating from the Elkhorn, Nebraska High School. Orville farmed for many years in Douglas County. He was united in marriage to Ruth OKeefe on June 9, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska. Orville farmed with his brother until Ruth and he bought a farm and moved to Red Oak, Iowa in 1965. They moved into town in 1975, but Orville continued to farm with his son John until 1998. Orville was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Church Council, Extension Council, and was a 4-H Leader for many years. He was a sports enthusiast being an avid Nebraska fan as well as a Yankees fan. He attended a football game in Memorial Stadium every season for over 70 years. He was a great story teller. He traveled all over the country and even to Mexico and Canada. He loved dogs and Teddy Bears, but most of all his family. They say he was quite a history buff as well.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents; daughter: Mary (1951-1951); four brothers: William, Gene, Verne, and Robert; and granddaughters: Katherine and Elizabeth Willms. Survivors include his wife of 63 years: Ruth Willms of Red Oak, Iowa; children: John Willms and wife Yvonne of Red Oak, Iowa; Grant Willms and wife Monica of Omaha, Nebraska; Susan Frost of Sterling, Illinois; and Sandy Stone and husband Don of Arvada, Colorado; 7 grandchildren: John Labora and wife Amy of Oswego, Illinois; Kirk Scheffel and wife Donni of Broomfield, Colorado; Cory Scheffel of Rifle, Colorado; Matt Willms of Clarinda, Iowa; Eli Willms of Des Moines, Iowa; Joe Willms of Omaha, Nebraska; and Maddy Willms of Omaha, Nebraska; great grandchildren: Brandon, Nathan, and Joshua Labora; and Isabelle Willms; 2 sisters: Betty McArdle and husband Robert of Elkhorn, Nebraska; and Margery Dall of Alexandria, Virginia; and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Ken Gross and Father Donald Bruck celebrants. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7 PM Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel with visitation with the family to follow. A memorial fund is being established.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel, Red Oak, IA