Orval Thayer

Orval ThayerOrval V. Thayer, 92, of Rockwell, Iowa, died Sept. 5, 2012 at Rockwell Community Nursing Center in Rockwell. 

A memorial service was held Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 at Swaledale United Methodist Church in Swaledale, Iowa.  Chaplin Janet Dorenkamp and Rev. John Scherb were officiating.  Online condolences may be left at www.fullertonfh.com. 

Orval V. Thayer was born on July 14, 1920 to Ralph and Ardelia (Dipple) Thayer on a farm near Belmond, Iowa.  He graduated from Belmond High School in the class of 1939.

Orval met Jessie Halfpop while attending high school in Belmond.  They were united in marriage on Feb. 7, 1942 near Sioux Falls, S.D.  The couple began their married lives farming near Belmond.

In 1947, Orval and Jessie moved to a farm near Burchinal, Iowa which they farmed until their retirement in 1997 at the age of 76.  Orval lived on the farm until his death.

Orval’s great enjoyment in life was farming and traveling.  For several years he did custom wheat harvesting out West from Nebraska down to Texas and out to Montana and Wyoming.  He also enjoyed sharing his tales with people.  He loved to tell about his times down in Sweetwater, Texas, during the rattlesnake hunt!  He also was able to go to Washington D.C. on the Sept. 7, 2010 Honor Flight.  For several winters he went South to Mission, Texas. 

Orval was a member of the Swaledale United Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the Moose Club.

The Mayo Foundation acknowledges with grateful appreciation the generous contribution Orval Thayer has made to the advancement of medical science and the welfare of mankind.

“To give oneself so that others may live in health and happiness is a truly noble gesture.”

Those thankful for having shared in Orval’s life include his late wife, Jessie of over 59 years; two sons, Lynn and his wife, Laura Thayer, of Sheffield and Bill Thayer of Clear Lake; one daughter, April Sherwood and her husband, David, of Rockwell; seven grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and special friend, Marcelle Murphy.

Orval was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a sister and brother, three brother-in-laws, and two sister-in-laws. 

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Rockwell, was in charge of arrangments.