Ovonne Selix

Funeral services for Ovonne Selix of Starbuck will be held Monday, January 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Starbuck. Visitation will be Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck and for one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Ovonne Doris Thorp was born in Paynesville, Minnesota on October 8, 1940, the oldest of three children born to Bernhard and Ovila (Anderson) Thorp. She grew up on a farm between Paynesville and Eden Valley, Minnesota. Ovonne attended country school through the 8th grade and then finished her education at Eden Valley High School and was the salutatorian of her graduating class of 1958. After her schooling, she began working at Eden Valley Bank for 13 years. In 1970, Ovonne was introduced to Bert Selix, they began dating, and were married on August 14, 1971, at Paynesville Lutheran Church in Paynesville. Following her marriage, she joined her husband on the farm, southwest of Starbuck, and work at First National Bank in Starbuck for seven years. After 10 years of marriage, Bert and Ovonne adopted their first child, James in the summer of 1981, and in the fall of 1982, they adopted their daughter, Mary. 

Ovonne helped her husband on the farm, all the while caring for two young children and her aging parents, who she helped out a lot. She was active in her local church, Immanuel Lutheran, serving as treasurer for 13 years, teaching Sunday School, the Homemaker’s Club, quilting and other various jobs within the ministry. Ovonne had many interests and hobbies throughout her life. She loved to read and learn. Ovonne enjoyed the outdoors – picnicking, fishing, camping, gardening, road tripping and taking photos. Music, signing, bowling, playing cards, and games were also interests she enjoyed. Ovonne had a great love for animals and conversations with family, friends, and neighbors over a cup of coffee and cookies and desserts, that were all baked with love.

While living her journey with dementia, she was still a great example of being a loving, caring, faithful, and loyal mother, sister, aunt, and friend to all. She spent her final years living on her farm with her children and her beloved kitty, Patches, where she enjoyed ‘Peace in the Valley.’

Ovonne passed away peacefully with her two children by her side holding her hands on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota; she was 84 years old.

Ovonne is survived by her children: James Selix of Bloomington and Mary Selix of Starbuck; brother, Paul (Kathy) Thorp of Vadnais Heights; sister, Sandy (Stan) Wieber of Olney, IL; bonus sister (Cousin) Lorraine (Richard) Raveling of Paynesville; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bert; parents; brothers and sisters-in-law; and many aunts, uncles and dear friends. 

The Starbuck Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Ovonne.