Orville TheisenDecember 2, 1944 - March 19, 2011It is with profound sadness that the family of Orville A. Theisen of Annaheim announces his sudden and unexpected death at Annaheim on Saturday, March 19, 2011. He was 66 years of age. Orville, the second oldest son of Louis and Frances (nee Schwingenschloegl) Theisen, was born on December 2, 1944, in Humboldt. Orville was raised in the Pilger district and received his elementary education in St. Bernard's one room school. He took his grades nine and ten at the Pilger Village School and completed his grades eleven and twelve at Laurier School in Annaheim, graduating in 1964. Orville then attended Teachers College in Saskatoon and returned to Annaheim to teach in 1967. During the 1974-1975 school term, he was appointed vice-principal. He retired from teaching in 1997. Orville was diligent in his duties at school, and equally as diligent in his activities in the community. From 1973-1978, he served as a member of the Arena Board and, it was during the 1973-1974 term when he was secretary-treasurer for that board that the arena was built. As well, Orville was instrumental in obtaining assistance, both financially and physically, collections, grants, and voluntary labour respectively, for completion of the arena. He shared his entrepreneurial spirit with the village when he built and owned the Post Hotel with his friend Ervin Meyer. Many friendships were made at the Hotel where Orville enjoyed spending time visiting and socializing. In more recent years, he served as manager of the Annaheim Housing units. In addition, Orville was actively involved in the field of sports, more as an organizer and over-seer than as a participant. He served as secretary of Annaheim Minor Hockey, secretary-treasurer of the Senior Central Hockey League a number of times, and president of the North Central Minor Hockey league for many years. Good sportsmanship was always uppermost in his mind, whether he was in his classroom or overseeing sports, officially or unofficially. There was never any favouritism. His "spare time" was spent in his garden; he was passionate about his plants and very particular about planting, weeding, and harvesting the fruits of his labor. Orville's other passion was the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was a shareholder and season ticket holder for many years, and attended Roughrider games both at home and away. Also of great importance to him was visiting his siblings and his many nieces and nephews, and spending time at his Delaronde Lake cabin. Orville will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by two brothers, two sisters, 15 nieces and nephews, and 20 great-nieces-and-nephews: (Anna's family) brother-in-law, Paul Crozon of Naicam and family, Diane (Larry) Walby and children Cassandra (Eric) Crone, and Jonnathan, Miles Crozon, Janice Crozon, Warren (Joanne) Crozon and children Alex and Mattea, and Tania (Trent) Lalonde and children Amy and Paige; George (Carol) Theisen of Humboldt and family, Calvin (Kim) Theisen and daughters Brianne and Jessica, and Ward (Kassia) Theisen and daughter Megan; Elaine (Owen) MacPherson of Saskatoon and family, Jodie (Todd) Kozak and son Jacob, Scott MacPherson and sons Ethan, Horace and Ferris, and Cory MacPherson (friend Becki); Neil (Shirley) Theisen of Grenfell and family, Dale (Michelle) Theisen and children Brody, Raydon, Haydon and Summer, Matthew (Meagan) Theisen and son Joshua and Jordan (Melanie) Theisen; and Debbie Hustej of Annaheim and family, Chelsea (Jason) Joa and children Blaze and Rya and Evan Hustej (friend Chene); and by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and his pet dog Prince Harry. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Frances (nee Schwingenschloegl) Theisen; one sister Anna Crozon; one brother-in-law, Pete Hustej; two nephews: Darin MacPherson and Dean MacPherson; and one great- nephew, Joshua Lalonde. The Prayer Service for Orville was held on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. presided by Fr. Richard Meidl OSB. Others taking part were: Larry Walby, scripture reader and Fr. Rudolph Novecosky, OSB, eulogist. The Funeral Mass was offered on Saturday, March 26, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Richard Meidl, OSB, Fr. Rudolph Novecosky, OSB, and Fr. Bernard Stauber, OSB. Others taking part were: Chelsea Hustej, cross bearer; Larry Walby, scripture reader; Cal Theisen, intentions; St. Ann's Parish Choir, music ministry; Evan Hustej and Cassandra Crone, gift bearers; Orville's nieces and nephews, active pallbearers; and Cory MacPherson, urnbearer. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Orville's life". Both services were held at St. Ann's R.C. Church, Annaheim. Interment will take place at St. Bernard's R.C. Cemetery in the Pilger district on Sunday, July 3, 2011, the day of the first Rider home game of the season. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to St. Ann's Parish. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
