Orval Roese, 91, died on Saturday, February 21, 2009 in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Jonathan Dodson officiating. Burial will be in Emardville Cemetery, Red Lake County, Minnesota.

Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 P.M. on Thursday prior to the funeral at Johnson Funeral Service.

Orval Roese was born on July 22, 1917 in Red Lake County, MN to Wilbert E. Bert and Nina (Peterson) Roese. He grew up and attended school in rural Plummer, MN. In his early years he helped on the family farm.

Orval was united in marriage to Dorothy Elizabeth Neumann on April 9, 1942 in St. Hilaire, MN. The couple had recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary before Dorothys death in 2007. Dorothy and Orval lived on the family farm the first year of their marriage, then they lived in St. Paul, MN until 1946. In the fall of 1946, they moved to Plummer, MN where Orval worked as a mechanic. They lived on a farm east of Plummer until moving to Thief River Falls in 1964. Orval worked as a machinist. The couple later retired to Plummer.

Orvals first love was farming, and the tractors and machinery that went along with that. He enjoyed his shop and with his accumulation of tools helped many neighbors by fixing their lawnmowers in his shop.

He is survived by 5 children: Emily (Joe) Watje, Templeton, CA; Betty (Darrel) Ausmus, Circle Pines, MN, Larry Roese, LaPuente, CA; Diana (Ken) Thomas, Fargo, ND, Judy (Aaron) Greer, West Fargo, ND, 10 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 5 step great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, son Don, his parents, and brother Glen.

Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

CASKETBEARERS: Dave Ausmus, Doug Ausmus, Jay Thomas, Blaine Thomas, Terry Roese, Gary Watje