Obituary of Orville Polzin

Orville Louis Polzin, 95, of Braham passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the Haven House in Cambridge. He was born on April 10, 1917 in Hazel, South Dakota to Carl and Emma Polzin. Orville grew up in the Watertown-Hazel area of South Dakota. After graduating high school he went on to attend the Brookings School of Agriculture. In the late 1930's he moved to the Braham-Grasston area and worked for several different farmers for a few years. In March 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He was stationed in Africa and later Europe. Orville was honorably discharged in October 1945. On April 26, 1946 he was united in marriage to Ruth Beck at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Braham; to this union two children were born. They raised their family on the farm in Harris where he and Ruth farmed for many years. Orville also worked for a time at the Arsenal Ammunition Plant. After retiring from full time dairy farming in the early 1970's, Orville and Ruth remained on the farm, and Orville would continue hobby farming with his draft horses even until he was 90 years old. He was forced to give up his hobby farm after declining health and moved to Carsten's Harbor and more recently The Haven House. Orville was a longtime member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Northern Minnesota Draft Horses Association. He enjoyed his draft horses, mules, ponies, his cats and his dogs. Orville and Ruth loved to square dance and were members of the North Branch Square Dance Club. Orville loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth in August 2005, brothers Leslie and Edward Polzin, sisters-in-law Dallas Polzin, Marion Duggan and brother-in-law John Duggan. Orville is survived by his daughter Susan Carew of Harris, son John and wife Doreen Polzin of Mora, grandchildren Kevin Carew and special friend Gina Mullen of Cambridge, Jennifer and husband Tim Wicht of Day, Amanda and husband Andy Mathiebe of Brillion, WI, Nikki Polzin of Two Rivers, WI, four step grandchildren Trisha Curtis and husband Brent of Cambridge, Nicole and husband Tim Kram of Harris, Sara and husband Eric and Shawna husband Jon, seven great grandchildren Rachael Carew, Jeremiah Babb, Logan Mathiebe, Kirsten and Hunter Curtis, Emily and Westyn Kram, one great great grandson Aidan Carew, brothers Winfred Polzin of Cambridge, Roland "Bozo" and wife Luella "Honey" Polzin of Isanti, sisters-in-law Marjorie Polzin of Cambridge, Louise Polzin of Hermantown, as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.