Orville L. Meyer

Orville Leroy Meyer was born on March 15, 1935 in the family home near Byron , Nebraska during one of the worst
dirt storms of the "Dirty Thirties". He moved with his family of five brothers and five sisters to a farm in Thayer County where he lived his entire life. He was baptized March 24, 1935, and attended St. Mark Parochial School through the 8 ^th grade. He was confirmed on May 2 ^nd ,1948. His confirmation verse was 1Timothy 4:8. At the time St. Marks Church was being moved from 2 miles east of town to east Main Street in Ruskin. Orville farmed his entire life beginning with his father Henry and later with his brother, Laverne and then his own sons. He married Donna Jensby, November 21, 1954, at the Union Church in Hardy, Nebraska . To this loving couple four sons, Bruce, Bradley, Brian and Brent and two daughters, Julie and Amy were born. His life centered around his church, St. Marks Lutheran of Ruskin, where he was an active member and his family. He enjoyed his family's activities, rarely missing an event that they were participating in. As a young man he began carpentering, first out of necessity, then as a livelihood for his family. Meyer & Sons Construction built many homes, additions, garages, etc. in the area, the motto being "we build homes not houses". Orville was a very fine cabinet maker as well as a gifted craftsman.His love of wood and building he taught and passed on to his children. Orville with his wife, Donna of 57 years, started traveling and camping with their young family and continued all his life. Their favorite spot being Lovewell Lake where he taught himself as well as numerous kids to water ski. Their many days of fun, fishing, etc. in the water and volleyball and dingle ball always ended around the campfire with singing and Orv playing his harmonica.Their travels to Canada and Mexico later turned into Winter as snow birds at River Bend, Texas. Orv took up golf and spent many hours golfing with his friends and enjoying golfing with his children and grandsons. Orv was a loving husband and father, teaching more by example than words. He was a quiet man but when he spoke the family listened. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Donna, their sons, Bruce, Bradley (Cindy), Brian and Brent (Lynn) and daughters Julie (Kirk) and Amy (Jeff); grandchildren: Nicole and Mike Zucker, Chad Meyer, Cody and Gaby Meyer, Brooke Meyer, Brandon and Jessica Meyer, Trevor Meyer, Sidney Meyer, Tara Meyer, Kenny Meyer, Keaton Meyer, Nathaniel Meyer, Danielle Meyer, Drew Shuck, Ty Shuck, Tanner Shuck, Hope Nienhueser, Halle Nienhueser; great-grandchildren: Alyssa Zucker, Jonathan Zucker, Madison Meyer; sisters, Anita Betten and Betty Fangmeier; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry W. and Fannie Meyer; sisters, Mildred Hoops, Ruby Hoops and Wilma Fangmeier; brothers, Walter Meyer, Victor Meyer, Raymond Meyer, Richard Meyer and LaVerne Meyer. He departed this earthly life for his heavenly home from his home in the arms of his wife on August 10, 2011, at the age of 76 years, 4 months and 26 days, after suffering a lengthy illness.