Orvis Raymond Hovland, 83 , died on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile, MN. He was born on January 24, 1927, to Peder and Emma (Bakken) Hovland in on the home farm in rural Fertile. Orvis attended Roadside Country School and graduated from the Fertile-Beltrami High School in 1944, Fertile. He continued his education at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Orvis returned home where he farmed, did carpentry work, and drove school bus.
On August 29, 1953, Orvis was united in marriage to Deloris Omundson in Thief River Falls, MN, moving to Fertile and living on the farm. Deloris died on February 20, 1965. He later married Sylvia Pederson, Beltrami, MN. Orvis moved to Crookston, MN in 1956, returning to the home farm in 1967. On February 14, 1976, he married Ruth Ramsey at Audubon, MN. He continued to live on the home farm until moving to Fair Meadow Nursing Home on December 1, 2010.
Living on the family farm brought Orvis a deep sense of satisfaction. He was an avid reader, enjoying being informed on many subjects, especially Biblical Archeology. Building and forming wood into usable and beautiful items was a joy to Orvis. He had a deep and sincere Christian Faith that guided him through many difficult times in his life.
Orvis is survived by his wife, Ruth, Fertile; two sons: Carsten (Lori), Fertile, and Marlon (Denise), Duncanville, TX; three daughters Jennifer (Henry "Hank") Hauge, Dilworth, MN, Jeannie Erickson, Fertile, and Laurel Hovland, Fertile; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; one sister, Marjorie (John) Gjevre, Moorhead, MN; and several nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Deloris, one brother, Ronald, and one sister, Lorraine Schaffer.

Funeral services will be on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 11 am at Hope Evangelical Free Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be one hour before the services at the church.

Burial will be in the Maple Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile, MN.