Brandstetter, Orval K. 1912-2001

BRANDSTETTER, KEMNITZ, DEMPSTER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/24/2007 at 11:45:47

WAYNE, Neb. -- Orval K. Brandstetter, 89, of Wayne died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, at Wayne Care Center.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Faith United Methodist Church in Wayne, with the Rev. Mary Brown officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Bressler-Munderloh Funeral Home in Wakefield, Neb. Memorials are suggested to Faith United Methodist Church Music Group and the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in Minneapolis.

Orval was born June 21, 1912, to Benjamin and Elsa (Kemnitz) Brandstetter in Merrill, Iowa. Orval was the only son of the three children the couple brought into this world. He attended Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, before he and his father started Brandstetter and Sons Implement Co. of Wayne in 1942. Orval served the agriculture needs of northeast Nebraska as a John Deere dealer for 27 years. After he sold the dealership, Orval was an insurance salesman for New York Life.

Orval married Dorothy Dempster on Feb. 21, 1937, in Neligh, Neb. Orval's business life was accompanied by his love for music and civic duty.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 60 years, where his voice could be heard most Sunday mornings in the church choir, which was one of his life's long passions. Along with his love for singing, he was an active member in the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple, where he played the clarinet in the Brass Band for almost 50 years. His accomplishments were Past Worthy Patron of Order of the Eastern Star, Past Master of the Wayne Masonic Lodge, recipient of the Northeast Nebraska Shrine Club, member of Royal Arch Masonry 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, and 20-year member of the board of the Boy Scouts of America. Orval was for many decades a vocal supporter of land conservation and management. He was a dedicated business member of the Wayne community who added his love for music and civic duty to his life's pursuits.

Orval is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy; and his sons and their families, Larry and Faye Brandstetter of Red Oak, Iowa, and their son, daughter-in-law and grandson, Dan, Amy and Garrett, Jerry Brandstetter of Wayne and his son, Chris Brandstetter of Lincoln, Neb., and John Brandstetter of Montclair, N.J.

Orval was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Elsa; and two sisters, Rachel Wolske and Marjorie Hinricks.

Orval leaves the world many things but his love for the Masonic Organization, music and his voice both sung and spoken. His family will miss him, but he will live on through their hearts and souls.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collection; source: Sioux City Journal]