Orville “Orv” Volkmann, age 94 of Frederic, WI, passed away in peace on January 12, 2024.
Orv was born on February 7, 1929 in Wilmette, Illinois the son of Alexander and Manila (Mueller) Volkmann.
He grew up (fondly known as) Nord East, Minneapolis. His childhood held memories of hunting, fishing, trapping and working at Max’s, the corner grocery store.
Orv met our mom at Circle B Ranch and being the good-looking wrangler he took her out on a trail ride one more time and then went on to a rodeo that night. They were married and that marriage lasted 53 ½ years.
He started his life career working for Chicago Northwestern Railroad and then on to Western Electric. His final step was creating along with mom, The Brass Bell, a Pet ‘n Saddle Shop in Wayzata, MN. Nearing retirement status he also became the manager and grounds keeper for the Twin Cities Polo Club in Maple Plain for eight years.
In 1987 he was awarded the honor of the Minnesota Horse Council Horseman of the Year, highlighting his helping hand with 4-H, the Hamel Trail Duster Saddle Club and the parent association, Western Saddle Club Association.
When near his retirement, he and mom moved to Frederic, WI. They purchased a small house on 40 acres of thick woods and here he was absolutely in his glory.
Always a worker, he never was bored. He took on a job with the “Hole in the Wall” Casino in Danbury, WI and went up the ranks to become their top security enforcement supervisor for the casino. He was well thought of to be the guy who could talk down any altercation and used one of his many mantras “kill em’ with kindness.” All during this time he was also taking classes to become a first responder.
Retirement once again repeated itself and he turned to cutting down trees. He would cut them down with his first chain saw, that will be buried with him, and then would drag them in with his trusty four-wheeler. Orv would then cut and split the wood to sell for a modest amount. He became very popular in the area for his excellent stacking and selling of quality wood to burn and also his stories.
Orv is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gert; infant daughter, Susan Lee; son-in-law, Timm Freeman; brother, David; and one his last dogs, Wolf.
Orv is survived by daughters, Karen (Ron) Clark and Jill Freeman; son, John (Tricia) Volkmann; step grandson, Brandon Welch; also through the years, many fishing cronies, hunting associates and his Nascar buddies; Shadow his last dog and companion; Kit Kat (the ferrel cat who with his patience became the garage/outside cat) and Spike the house cat.
Funeral service for Orv will be held Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. all at the Historic Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel, 1 Tower Avenue, Fort Snelling, MN 55111.
Interment will be held Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.
The family and host of friends request memorials be given to the MS Society and specifically directed to the MS River Road Run in Orv’s name.
If preferred flowers can be sent through Buffalo Floral, as they are among his friends also.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
