Orville Himmelberg

Orville Stephen Himmelberg died Dec. 15, 2023, on his 94th birthday in Crete, Nebraska.

Orville was born on Dec. 15, 1929, on a farm 1 1⁄2 miles north of Lawrence, Nebraska. He was one of 11 children to John and Josephine Himmelberg. Orville attended Sacred Heart School in Lawrence through the 8th 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 GI 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, Lincoln, Nebraska. They 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. 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 to 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, Nebraska; 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, Sean (Trischa) Delaney; 11 great-grandchildren; and 51 nieces and nephews; and countless great-nieces and nephews; brothers, Vernon (Bonnie) Himmelberg, Lawrence, Nebraska, Robert (Betty) Himmelberg, Lawrence, Howard (Glenda) Himmelberg, Columbus, Nebraska, and John (Donna) Himmelberg, Lawrence; 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, 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, LeNie (LeRoy) Wilson, and brother-in-law, Robert (Marjorie) Wieck.

His funeral is at 11 a.m. today (Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023) at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Friend. Rosary is at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) also at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Friend.

Visitation was from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday with family greeting and receiving friends and relatives 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lauber Funeral Home, Friend. The Knights of Columbus had a Rosary for Orville at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night at the funeral home.

Memorials are to be given to the Folds of Honor.

Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements