Orvin Gerhard UHR

UHR, SANDVICK, SANDVIK, BERNARD, JOHNSTON, CODNER, JONES, SMITH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/19/2016 at 16:40:35

April 4, 1897 ---- December 28, 1961

Orvin G. Uhr, President of the Security Savings Bank, Eagle Grove, died suddenly at the bank Thursday afternoon. Funeral services were held at Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenneth Torvik, Pastor; Tuesday, Jan. 2 with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Kastler Funeral Home in charge.

Orvin Gerhard Uhr was born in Wright County to Ole and Gina Sandvick Uhr April 4, 1897. As a child he moved with his parents to Eagle Grove. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School, in 1915 and from Cedar Rapids Business College in 1916. On Jan. 21, 1920 he married Julia Bernard. He began as bookkeeper of Security Savings Bank in 1916, became assistant cashier in 1920 and cashier in 1925; He became a stockholder and director in 1933 and Executive Vice President and Cashier in 1943. Following the death of President Ben W. Olson in May, 1960 he was elected President. He has served as treasurer and member of the Board of the local airport commission since its beginning. A member of Rotary for many years, he served as its treasurer for the past 25 years. He was also treasurer of the Masonic Blue Lodge and of the local chapter and council and a member, of the Za-Ga-Zig Temple, of Des Moines, in September 1961 he was chosen "Rainbow Father" for the local chapter. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and a lifelong member of Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church. He served on the Suite and Building Committees for the new church dedicated in May, 1957.

Preceding him in death are his parents, a son Orvin Jr., and a daughter born prematurely,; and a sister Cora. Besides his wife Julia, he is survived by a nephew, Duane Bernard of Los Angeles, Calif., whom they, raised as a son, and by 3 sisters Josie, Mrs. Oscar Johnston of Chicago; Mrs. Lillian Codner and Mrs. Ruby Jones, both of Eagle Grove and by several nieces and nephews.

Eagle Grove Eagle -- Iowa
January 4, 1962

Funeral services for Orvin Gerhard Uhr, 64, were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran church. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery, Pastor Kenneth R. Torvik officiated.

Suffers Fatal Heart Attack

A special Masonic service was held Monday evening in the Kastler Funeral Home. Mr. Uhr died suddenly of a heart attack Thursday afternoon about 3 p. m. while going about his duties at the Security Savings Bank of which he was president. any, many people had seen and visited with Mr. Uhr in the bank that afternoon and the news of his sudden death coming soon after the bank closed far the day was a terrible shock to everyone.

Orvin was born April 4, 1897 on a Wright county farm. While still a child his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Uhr moved to Eagle Grove. He attended Eagle Grove public schools and was graduated from the Eagle Grove high school in June, 1915. He attended Cedar Rapids business college that fall and was graduated from that institution in 1916. Immediately following his graduation from business college he became a bookkeeper for the Security Savings bank. His position with the bank was his first and only job. He was rewarded for his loyalty and attention to duty by being named president of the bank in May, 1960. Orvin's particular forte was in serving as treasurer of various groups and organizations in the city. The total number of such positions is not known. But it is known that he has served as treasurer of the Rotary club for 25 years and also of the three Masonic orders for almost an equal length of time. He was a member of the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church and very active in Za-Ga-Zig Shrine of Des Moines. On January 21, 1920 he was united in marriage, to Julia Bernard who survives him. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Orvin Jr., a daughter born prematurely and a sister Cora Uhr Smith. He is survived by his wife, three sisters, Mrs. Oscar Johnston of Chicago, Ill,, Mrs. Lillian Codner and Mrs. Ruby Jones of Eagle Grove and a nephew Duane Bernard who had made his home with the Uhrs and was raised as their son, also by several other nieces and nephews. Orvin's steady rise to the top position as president of the Security Savings bank is worthy of note. Starting as a bookkeeper in 1916 he was named assistant cashier in 1920, cashier in 1925, stockholder and director in 1933, executive vice president and cashier in 1943 and president in 1960. This steady advancement in the bank reflects the esteem in which he was held by the community. The obituary for Orvin Uhr, prepared by Rev. K. R. Torvik appears on page 6 section A of this
Eagle.