Thayer, Orval V.

THAYER, HALFPOP, SHERWOOD, DIPPLE

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 5/27/2013 at 23:25:31

Orval 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.