Mengis Funeral Home

Orval was born September 25, 1935 in Decorah, Iowa to Frank and Caroline
(Funke) Cook.  He graduated from the Decorah High School in 1954. On June 15, 1957 he married Peg Buck.  They later divorced. In 1983 he moved from Decorah to Mabel and on April 26, 1985 he married Anna Riha Wenthold.  He had worked for Camcar in Decorah and Fred Carlson Company in Decorah, and after retiring he drove truck for Jim Horihan Farms.  Orval was a member of the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel and a former member of the Odd Fellows.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, playing bingo and cards, watching the races, and trips to the casino.

Orval passed away Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel following a short battle with cancer at the age of 72.

Orval is survived by his wife Anna of Mabel; seven children David (Sharon) of Oelwein, Iowa, Dawn (Randy) Teslow of Ossian, Iowa, Darrell of Farmington, Minnesota, Darwin “Darby” (Diane) of Ossian, Denise (Augie) Shindelar of Chester, Iowa, Darla (Kevin) Wenthold of Ossian, and Darcy
(Mike) Powers of Decorah; four step-children DeWayne (Jeanette) Wenthold of Kalispell, Montana, Cathy Peterson of Mabel, Diane Wilder of Mabel, and Sandra (Dan) Miller of Port Angeles, Washington; thirty grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a half-sister Theresa Teslow of Frankville, Iowa; two sister-in-laws Agnes (Arthur) Schmitt of West Union, Iowa and Marcie (Leroy) Schneberger of Fort Atkinson, Iowa; and a brother-in-law Donald (Rosie) Riha of Fort Atkinson, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Caroline; his step-father Lyle Hunter; mother and father-in-law Martin and Stella Riha; sister-in-law Martha Riha; brother-in-law Raymond Teslow; and a great nephew Jesse Einck.

Funeral Mass will be 11 AM Thursday, January 31, 2008 at the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel with Father Donald P. Schmitz officiating.  Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Canton, Minnesota. Visitation will be 4 –