Orval D. Petterson

Orval D. Petterson, 84, of Osnabrock, ND, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2018, at his home. A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon, ND. Visitation will be held at the funeral home for one hour before the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Altru Hospice. Burial will be held at the North Dovre Cemetery, rural Osnabrock, ND.

Orval Duane Petterson was born July 14, 1933, in Milton, ND, to Peter and Julia (Moland) Petterson. He grew up and attended school in Osnabrock, graduating in 1951. Orval served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, stationed in Ft. Carson, CO, and Ft. Lewis, WA.

On December 23, 1958, he married Betty Heck of Osnabrock. They lived in Olympia, WA, from 1959 to 1960. Upon his discharge from the Army, they returned to the family farm in the Milton-Osnabrock area. In 1978, they moved to Osnabrock.

Orval worked for American Crystal Sugar in Drayton, ND, for many years and also farmed until 1996 when he retired due to his health but continued to have great interest in the farm. He was a North Dakota State Barley Show director for many years, member of the Knights of Pythias, and a member of the Osnabrock Legion Post #164. He was also a member of the North Dovre and Dovre Lutheran Churches of Osnabrock.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of 59 years; son Duane and special friend Sandy; daughters Julie (Danny) Krom and Jody (Terry) Girodat; and grandchildren: Kayla Krom, Brandon (Courtney) Krom, Erica Petterson, Ashley (Andrew) Harstad, Kari (Aaron Restad) Krom, Becky Krom, Kristi (Gabe) Johnston, and Alex Gronhovd. Orval is also survived by many great-grandchildren along with many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He especially enjoyed seeing and hearing about all his grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers, Robert Petterson and Harold (Linda) Petterson; sisters Idella Franz and Joan Schrader; and brother-in-law Clarence Heck.

Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter JoAnn; son Darrin; sisters-in-law Nancy and Ruth Petterson and brother-in-law Jack Franz.