Orville Schaller

Services for Orville Schaller, 89, of Groton will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 14th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Groton.  Rev. Craig Grams will officiate.  Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the church on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m.

Orville passed away May 10, 2018 at Groton Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Orville Merle Schaller was born to William and Rachel (Knoll) Schaller on September 3, 1928 on the family farm near Groton.  He attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Groton High School in 1946.  During his high school days, he worked at the Ford agency as a “Grease Monkey.”  After graduation, he worked for George Stange and lived on his farm.  On June 9, 1950, he married Jocelyn Ebert and together they were blessed with three children.  In 1953, he began working for Groton Auto and Tractor Company as a salesman.  Later, he and Chuck Porter bought the Agency and re-named it Trail Chevrolet and Olds.  In 1968, Chuck sold his share to Orville and he owned it until 1986.  He won many Chevrolet and Olds awards, including numerous trips.  During this time, Orville bought and farmed his own land. 

Orville belonged to the Groton Kiwanis Club for 50 years.  He was also active in the Chamber of Commerce, City Council, Olive Grove Golf Course and St. John’s Lutheran Church, all of which he served in many offices.  Orville, along with Rocky Buntrock, organized Sunflower Days.  He and Gene Abeln were instrumental in obtaining the US 12 four lane highway from Aberdeen to I-29.  Orville loved to fly and purchased his own plane in mid-life after obtaining his pilot’s license.  He enjoyed flying with friends and his son, especially his fishing trips to Flin Flon,Canada.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, Joyce of 67 years, his daughter, Sherry, an infant sister, Lois, infant brother, William, three brothers, Myron, Otho and Wally and sisters, Myla and Arlene. 

Mourning his loss is his daughter, Sandra and son, Steven, grandchildren: Stephy (Tim) Hanigan, Arielle Cameron, Cheyenne, Jasmine and Hunter Schaller, great-grandsons, Colton and Kyler Hanigan, Kayson and Bronsen Cameron, Quincy Hunt.  Orville is also survived by his sister, Bonnie Larson, brothers, Kenneth and Ben Schaller, and sister-in-law, Florence Schaller

Casketbearers will be Rick Carlson, Casey Zoellner, Marc Hanson, Bob Walter, Brad Larson and Loren Schaller.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Larry Schelle, Chuck Raap, Curtis Sombke, Tony Goldade, Richard Krueger, Steve Giedt and nephews, Tom Ebert, Tim Ebert, Dennis Schaller, Billy Schaller, Russ Schaller, Scott Schaller, Greg Peterson and Greg, Dean and Kevin Ebert.

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