Orville Stephen Himmelberg passed away Dec. 15, 2023, on his 94th birthday in Crete.
Orville was born Dec. 15, 1929, on a farm 1 ½ miles North of Lawrence and was one of 11 children to John and Josephine Himmelberg. Orville attended Sacred Heart School in Lawrence through the eighth grade. He did not further his education at the time and then began helping his parents full time on the family farm.
In September of 1951, Orville was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving as a Radio Operator and achieving the rank of Corporeal. He earned his GED and was awarded multiple medals, including two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in July of 1953.
Upon his discharge, Orville moved back to Nebraska and attended school in Omaha to become an Agent Telegrapher. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a Relief Operator in Kansas. Orville then attended the University of Nebraska on the G.I. Bill from 1956 to 1960 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Orville married Barbara Wieck on Feb. 1, 1958, at Sacred Heart Church in Lincoln and were married for 64 years. From this union, two children were born, Brian and Becky.
Following graduation, Orville worked for Sanitary Towel and Gold Bond Stamps and in 1964, Orville and Barbara moved to Friend and acquired the Friend Grocery Store. They owned and operated the store for 30 years before selling the business to their son. The store remained in the family for 52 years.
Orville was heavily involved with the Friend community. He was a member of the Friend and Dorchester Chambers of Commerce, the Friend Country Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Nebraska Alumni Association and served as Mayor of Friend from 1974-1978. Orville received many awards and accolades for his service to his community.
In his leisure time, Orville enjoyed playing cards, golfing, bowling and woodworking. Many of his projects were donated and special pieces were made for each of his grandchildren.
Survivors include his son Brian (Vickie) Himmelberg, Friend; daughter Rebecca (Michael) Delaney, Libertyville, Illinois; grandchildren, Cameron (Gina) Himmelberg, Lindsey Himmelberg, Elizabeth (Andy) Silvis, Emily and Christina Miller, Brita (Rick) Brownstein, Keegan (Valerie) Delaney, and Sean (Trischa) Delaney; 11 great-grandchildren; 51 nieces and nephews and countless great-nieces and nephews; brothers, Vernon (Bonnie) Himmelberg, Lawrence, Robert (Betty) Himmelberg, Lawrence, Howard (Glenda) Himmelberg, Columbus, and John (Donna) Himmelberg; sisters, Rita (Ken) Brott, Littleton, Colorado, Vivian (Darrel) Soucie, Hastings, and Marie (Rich) Crucitt, Poway, California.
Orville was preceded in death by his parents, John and Josephine; wife, Barbara; brother, Don; sisters, Doris (Don) Rech, and Coletta (Max) Robinson; nieces, Diane and Amy Himmelberg, Lynn Conley, and Karen Huber; nephew, Eugene Himmelberg; parents in-law, Walter and Marguerite Wieck; sisters-in-law, Berdina (Wayne) Strayer and LeNie (LeRoy) Wilson; and bother-in-law, Robert (Marjorie) Wieck.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 2 to 8 p.m. with family greeting and receiving friends and relatives from 5 – 7 p.m. at Lauber Funeral Home, Friend. The Knights of Columbus will conduct a Rosary for Orville at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at the funeral home. The funeral service will be Thursday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friend with a Rosary one hour before the service at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Folds of Honor. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
