Orville Alvin Tewes

Orville Alvin Tewes, the son of Ernest and Nellie (Baumeister) Tewes, was born September 16, 1930 at home in rural Hartley, IA. Orville had 14 siblings. He attended country school till the 8th grade then attended and graduated from the high school in Hartley, IA in 1948. 

Orville was united in marriage to Marlys Ann Shafer of Calumet, IA on October 25, 1953. He was drafted in 1953 and served in the army during the Korean War until he was discharged in August of 1955. When he returned home the two of them started a family. Orville and Marlys along with their  3 sons lived in Hartley, Calumet and Sanborn before they settled down on a farm between Paullina and Sutherland in 1972. For years Orville had milk cows, raised pigs and crop farmed. Orville later raised feeder cattle till he was in his late 80’s, sharing with his grandson Daniel that  he would have to out-do him and carry on the tradition of raising cattle till he was in his late 80’s. He enjoyed being on the farm and wasn’t much for traveling, He enjoyed watching football on tv and occasionally would yell at them when the play wasn’t done quite right.  He also had a love for restoring older model "red tractors”. Orville farmed right up till he fell and broke his arm in October. He was 92 and still wanted to be very hands on. Even after the broken arm he continued to do as much as he could because in his words “farming is in my blood". In his later years he enjoyed putting miles on his pickup traveling the country side visiting with family and friends. Although he could be gruff on the outside he had a witty sense of humor and a big heart for his grandkids, family and friends. 

On Sunday, February 5th, 2023, Orville passed from this life at age 92. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Marlys: 3 sons Joel and Kim Tewes of Primghar, IA, Shelley and Kathy Tewes of Paullina, IA and Mike Tewes of Sutherland, IA; 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Nick and Angie Tewes and their daughter Adalynn; Barry and Jackie Tewes and their children Tanner, Collin and Owen; Ryan and Chellene Tewes and their children Treven and Brielle; Daniel Tewes and his children Eliza and Garrison;  Mat and Tracey Ahrenstorff and their children Myles and Gavin; and one sister Marlene Wills of Hartley, IA.  

He now joins loved ones who have gone before him; his son Brian Tewes, his parents, Earnest and Nellie Tewes, 8 brothers Lawrence Tewes, Harlan Tewes, Marvin Tewes, Delmar Tewes, Lester Tewes, Roger Tewes, Arlo Tewes, Eldon Tewes and 5 sisters: Marilyn Tewes, Norma Jean Richter, Marjorie Petersen, Mildred Hennings and Arlene Harders. 

Private family services at later date.  Family has invited all who can attend to the Fire House in Sutherland, IA for lunch Saturday, February 11th at 12 PM.

Pastor Lynn Dau

Pleasant View Cemetery, Hartley, IA