Lawrence L. Orvis

Feb. 6, 1922-June 1, 2011

CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Lawrence L. Orvis, 89, died at his home at the Heritage Plaza in Cambridge on June 1, 2011.

He was born in Wilsonville, Nebraska on Feb. 6, 1922, to Irwin and Melissa (Barlow) Orvis. Lawrence grew up on the family farm, and attended and graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1938. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Amy Air Corps serving in the 8th Air Force Bomber Squadron. He was a top turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress named "Pappy's Pride." The crew and plane flew 34 combat missions over Germany.

Lawrence was united in marriage to Glenva McCashland in 1943, to this union four 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 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 Lion's Club. He enjoyed traveling, he and Camilla traveled to all 50 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; two step-sons, Leroy and wife, Bonnie Omis and Phillip Orvis; daughter-in-law, Alta Vae Orvis; great-granddaughter, Alex K. Snyder; two brothers, George and Kenneth; and two sisters, Lelia Lang and Gladys Mutson.

Lawrence is survived by his two daughters, Kathryn and husband, Gary Bergstrom of Griswald, Iowa, and Nancy and husband, Victor Knutson of Wilsonville; two sons, Lawrence "Larry" and wife, Jacque Orvis of Norfolk, Nebraska, and Kevin and wife, Sue Urvis of Hebron, Nebraska; two step-sons, Paul and Shirley Orvis of Imperial, Nebraska, and Leland and wife, Carolyn Orvis of Oxnard, California; daughter-in-law, Susan of Kansas City, Missouri; 19 grandchildren: 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Ella Wilson and husband, Sonny of Wilsonville.

Funeral services are at McCook Christian Church on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Clark Bates officiating. Interment is at 4:30 p.m. in the Wilsonville Cemetery in Wilsonville, 14E. Military Honors will be conducted by the Beaver Valley VWF.

Memorials may be left to the McCook Christian Church.

Friends may leave online condolences at lockenour.com.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.