Orville Joseph Bratrud

Orville J. Bratrud, 96, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at his home in Waukon, IA. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 30th, at 11:00 AM at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery both in rural Waterville. In consideration of concerns regarding Covid-19, social distancing and wearing of a mask is required. Condolences may be sent to Dorothy Bratrud at 207 1st Avenue Northwest, Waukon, IA 52172. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Orville Joseph Bratrud was born on December 12, 1923, in Allamakee County rural Waterville, IA, the son of Ingvold and Inga (Olson) Bratrud. He attended country school in the Village Creek area and graduated from Waterville High School in 1942. After he graduated, he worked for several area farmers as a hired hand. Orville served in the United States Army during WW II from 1945 until 1947. While he was in the service, he participated in the American Army Band and drill team. On April 3, 1959, he married Dorothy Howe at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Orville and Dorothy farmed together in the Lansing area and Waterville area where they raised beef cows, hogs, crops, and milked dairy cows for several years before moving into Waterville in the early 1970's, he then went to work for Pamida in Waukon. In 1994 they moved to Waukon, where Orville and Dorothy operated the 66 Cafe Restaurant in Waukon for 15 years, he then went to work at Quillins Food Ranch before he retired.

Orville was a member of Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday School and served as a past president for the Sunday School program for several years. He and Dorothy were sponsors for the Luther League. Orville was also a member of the American Legion and Community Players. He enjoyed wood working, fishing, taking trips to Waterville, MN, camping, taking rides in the countryside, tractor pulls and shows.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Waukon; three sisters-in-law: Beverly Howe of Waukon, Rita Jones of Janesville, WI, and Theresa Helgeson of Waukon; and a brother-in-law George (Carol) Howe of Monona. He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister Margaret (Loren) Bulman; and three brothers-in-law: Robert Howe, Robert Jones, and Ed Helgeson.

Casketbearers are Herb Dehli, Scott Pederson, Jerry and Dale Donahue, Michael Eberhart, and Daryl Cooper.