Lawrence L. Orvis

Lawrence L. Orvis age 89, died at his home at the Heritage Plaza in Cambridge on June 1, 2011. He was born in Wilsonville, Nebraska on February 2, 1922 to Irwin and Melissa (Barlow) Orvis. Lawrence grew up on the family farm, attended and graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1938. In 1942, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps serving in the 8th Air Force Bomber Squadron. He was a top turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress named "Pappys Pride". The crew and plane flew 34 combat missions over Germany. Lawrence was united in marriage to Glenva McCashland in 1943, to this union 4 children were born: Kathryn, Lawrence, Nancy and Kevin. Glenva preceded him in death in 1969. In 1974, he married Camilla (Pahl) Orvis in Wilsonville, she also preceded him in death in 2009. Lawrence farmed most of his life near Wilsonville. He later moved to McCook until recently when he moved to Cambridge and the Heritage Plaza to be closer to family. Lawrence was a member of the Wilsonville Baptist-Christian Church. He was attending the McCook Christian Church while living in McCook. He enjoyed playing town team baseball in his younger years and also coaching baseball. He was a former school board member and belonged to the Wilsonville Lions Club. He enjoyed traveling, he and Camilla traveled to all fifty states. He enjoyed his family and attending school programs and sporting events the grandchildren participated in. He was preceded in death by his parents; wives: Glenva and Camilla; 2 step sons: Leroy and his wife Bonnie Orvis; Phillip Orvis, daughter-in-law; Alta Vae Orvis; great-granddaughter: Alex K. Snyder: 2 brothers: George and Kenneth; 2 sisters: Lelia Lang and Gladys Knutson. Lawrence is survived by his 2 daughters: Kathryn and husband Gary Bergstrom of Griswald, IA; Nancy and husband Victor Knutson of Wilsonville; 2 sons: Lawrence "Larry" and wife Jacque Orvis of Norfolk, NE; Kevin and wife Sue Orvis of Hebron; 2 step-sons Paul and Shirley Orvis of Imperial; Leland and wife Carolyn Orvis of Oxnard, CA; 1 daughter-in-law: Susan of Kansas City, MO; 19 Grandchildren: 29 Great grand children; 3 great-great grand children: 1 sister: Ella Wilson and husband Sonny of Wilsonville. Funeral services will be held at the McCook Christian Church on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 2:30 PM with Pastor Clark Bates officiating. Interment will be at 4:30 PM in the Wilsonville Cemetery, Wilsonville, NE. Military Honors will be conducted by the Beaver Valley VFW. Memorial may be left to the McCook Christian Church. Friends may leave on-line condolences at lockenour.com.