Orville Brunkow

A public visitation for Orville Brunkow will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2020, at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris from 5:00-7:00 p.m.  A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio.  The church's social distancing and capacity guidelines allow for a limited number of guests inside the church building, there will be a live broadcast over 88.1 FM in the church parking lot and also a live stream of Orville’s memorial service starting at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020 on the funeral home website, to view the service on the Pedersen Funeral Home website, scroll to the bottom of Orville’s page and click the link.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Orville LeRoy Brunkow, son of Margaret (Boots) and Milo Brunkow, was born on February 2, 1935, in Morris.  He was raised on his family farm near Chokio and baptized on March 23, 1935 at Trinity Lutheran Church near Johnson.  Orville attended country school until 7th grade, then attended Trinity Lutheran School through 8th grade.  He attended the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, where he participated in football and wrestling.  Horticulture was one of his favorite subjects, which sparked his life-long love of caring for his apple trees.  He graduated from the Ag School in 1953 and began farming with his dad and brother, Melvin, on the family farm, where he raised hogs, row crops, and grain. In March of 1960, Orville met the love of his life, Connie Sandvig, on a blind date in Minneapolis.  One year later they were united in marriage on the beautiful, sunny day of February 25, 1961.Out of this marriage they had four children:  Christine, Sandra, Heidi, and Gregory.  They lived together happily on the family farm for the next 59 years.  Orville was very involved in the community and in his church.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, traveling, reading, gardening, caring for his apple orchard, taking his dogs for a drive, and entertaining his grandkids.  He also enjoyed spending time in his shop, either working on machinery, reading, or conversing with good company.  Most importantly, he was always willing to give a helping hand and never hesitated to provide to someone who was in need.  He built many things over the years, including an ice-skating rink for Connie and the kids.  Orville was a hard-working farmer, loving husband, caring father and grandfather, and a kind friend to many.

Orville Brunkow passed away peacefully at his residence on Thursday night, October 15, 2020 surrounded by family.  He was 85 when he passed away, having spent his last days on the same farm where he spent all the days of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Connie of Chokio; daughters: Christine (Dean) Koosman of Howard Lake, Sandra (Jay) Sheets of Alexandria, Heidi (Chad) Bergerson of Alexandria; son Gregory (JoDell) Brunkow of Alexandria; grandchildren: April (Ryan) Gilder, Brittany Moorhouse; Ben, Jenna, and Zachary Koosman; Matthew, Andrew, and AnaLee Sheets, Amanda and Erick Bergerson; Hunter Brunkow, and Chloe Baxter; great-grandchildren: Hank Gilder and Aurora Moorhouse; sisters: Virene Olson of Morris, and Eunice (Roger) Shelstad of Richville; brother Norman (Norita) Brunkow of Omaha, Nebraska; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Margaret (Boots) and Milo Brunkow; brother Melvin Brunkow; sister-in-law Lorna Brunkow; and brother-in-law Roy Pederson.