Avis Ordalen, 1928-2017
Published 1:00 am Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Funeral services for Avis Ordalen will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Revs. Shane Koepke and Sean Forde will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery in Albert Lea.
Avis Jeanelle Marilyn (Friese) Ordalen died Sunday, June 4, 2017, at her residence in Oak Park Place. She was 88.
Avis was born Dec. 31, 1928, to Genevieve (Ottun) and Albert Friese at their home inWanamingo. Avis was one of eight children and grew up on a large farm operated by her father. She often worked in their fields, helping her father and milking cows.
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Avis Ordalen
Avis graduated from Wanamingo High School in May 1946. Avis married Edward Henry Ordalen on Aug. 10, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Minneola Township, near Zumbrota.
Over the years they lived in Red Wing, Zumbrota, Wanamingo, Buffalo, Watson and settled in Albert Lea in 1962. Edward operated Eddie’s Farm Supply, where Avis worked as a secretary for many years. Before working at Eddie’s Farm Supply, Avis worked at Added Touch and Puff and Stuff Restaurant.
Avis and Eddie were both great singers and often did solos or duets at church. Avis was also known for her yodeling skills. Avis was a very talented decorator and was well known for her beautiful Christmas displays on Bridge Avenue. She won the city-wide lighting contest many times over the years. Avis was well known for her decorating abilities, both indoors and out. She loved gardening and flowers, but the biggest smile would come to her face when she was holding her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.
Avis is survived by eight of her nine children, Karen Felsch (Lyle) of Rochester, Gaylen Ordalen (Vicki) of Kenyon, Nancy Ordalen (Terry Nalder) of Aurora, Colorado, Edward Steven Ordalen Jr. (Beth Stadheim) of Albert Lea, Shirley Kermes (Steven) of Albert Lea, Julie Lokken (Brian) of Albert Lea, Kevin Ordalen (Patricia) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Lana Lopes (David) of Aurora; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and siblings Lorraine Munson of Hayfield, LouBelle Siebens of Kenyon, Garvin Friese of Wanamingo, Shirley Strand of Thief River Falls and Roger Friese (Shirley) of Kilkenny.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Ordalen; son, Gerald Ordalen; grandchildren Andrea Ordalen, Charity Lopes and Jessica Lokken; and brothers Russell and Donald Friese.