Funeral services for Orville Thede, 82, of Jefferson, will be 11:00 am Wednesday, February 7, 2007, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Burial will be in the Jefferson Cemetery. Friends may call at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson between 12 noon – 9:00pm Tuesday, where the family will greet friends between 6:30-9:00 pm.

Orville John Thede, son of Claus John and Anna Clara Louise Hein Thede, was born on March 8, 1924 at Glidden, Iowa. He was baptized April 20, 1924 and confirmed on April 10, 1938 at Christ Lutheran Church in Churdan.  As a young man, he helped his parents farm until he enlisted in the United States Navy on November 10, 1942.  He served on the U.S. Edsall during WWII as an Electricians Mate 2nd class, and was honorably discharged on December 20, 1945.  Following the war, Orville farmed with his dad and brother, Ray. 

Orville was married to Freda Mae Mooney on December 31, 1948.  They became the parents of 2 sons, Dennis and Danny.  Freda died June 27, 1977, at the age of 50, following a difficult battle with cancer. 

In 1954, Orville opened Thede’s Ice Cream Cottage in Scranton.  He also drove a school bus for the Scranton School district.  During this period of time, Orville took time to volunteer as a fire fighter. 

In 1960 he moved to Papillion, Nebraska where he worked as a carpenter, building houses.  He returned to Scranton in 1961, sold the Ice Cream Cottage in 1962, and bought a farm north of Jefferson in 1963.  During his farming years, Orville expanded his farm acres, started Thede and Son Trucking, owned a corn shelling business, did custom combining, and raised livestock.  Orville was one of the first farmers in Greene County to use 8-row 30 inch farm equipment. 

Orville was married to Ruby Marie Baker on June 11, 1978 at Madrid, Iowa.  Ruby died on April 20, 2005 following a long battle with cancer.

Orville opened the Green Parrot Dancehall in Jefferson, and later operated the same location as a bowling alley. 

Orville was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson, where he had served as a church elder.  He was a member of VFW Post #9599, and had served as a Greene County Farm Bureau Director.  He was also a member of the Destroyers-Escort Sailors Association.

Orville enjoyed his family, playing cards and dancing.         

Orville Thede died of cancer February 3, 2007 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.  He was 82 years of age.  Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Freda, and his wife, Ruby; two brothers: Ray and Lawrence; a sister, Esther Royster; and a granddaughter, Sara Thede.

Survivors include his two sons: Dennis Thede and his wife Linda of Jefferson, IA; Danny Thede and his wife Julie of Ackworth, IA; 6 grandchildren; John Thede, Jason Thede, Chad Thede, Kelli Thede, Danielle Thede, and Michelle Thede; 4 step-grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.