Orville D. Garrett

Orville Dean Garrett 3/1/1934 to 9/3/2021



Orville Dean Garrett, 87, of Grand Island passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021, surrounded by his family.



A celebration of life will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island with Derek Apfel officiating. Family burial will take place in the Lindale Cemetery in Hordville, NE. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, September 7th at Apfel Funeral Home. Casual dress, Orville’s favorite color red, if possible. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family to be designated at a later date.



Orville was born March 1, 1934 in Central City to Marvin and Florence (Galley) Garrett. He attended Mead District #13 Country School and Central City High School, where he played football and graduated in 1952. He married the love of his life, Marjorie (Biber), on September 30, 1953 in the First Baptist Church in Hordville. In 1954 they moved south of Hordville and farmed there until 2012. Orville was baptized at the First Baptist Church in 1958.



Orville would summarize his 58 years on the farm by saying “I raised corn, cattle, hogs, and kids” but his greatest joy came from his seven children, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As the family grew, a Christmas morning breakfast became a treasured tradition. He was also an active member of the Valley View Country Club where he golfed, Young Adults Bible Study, and bowling leagues in Central City, Aurora, and Grand Island. His favorite bowling team consisted of five Garrett men and was called “The Five G’s”: Orville, his father Marvin, his brother Melvin, and two of his sons, Michael and Bill. Orville and Marj enjoyed watching Kansas City Royals games and even attended a game where Orville caught a foul ball. Orville could make you chuckle when he shared his pet peeves: holey jeans and unsnapped green beans…and he hated to lose at playing cards.



In retirement, Orville moved with Marj to Grand Island where he devoted more time to golf, bowling, and regular visits to The Farmer’s Daughter for breakfast. He spent the last few months of his life at The Heritage at Sagewood. During his final hours, all seven of his children and his wife were present and shared special memories while they said goodbye.



Those left to cherish the memory of Orville include his wife of nearly 68 years, Marjorie; daughters Nancy Kermmoade of Grand Island and Janis (Sal) Alkire of Grand Island; sons, Michael Garrett of Osceola, Bill (Shelli) Garrett of Hampton, Craig (Beth) Garrett of Lincoln, Chris (friend Marlene Graham) Garrett of Lyons, Dennis (Barbara) Garrett of Blair; brother Melvin (friend Cindy Houchin) Garrett of Central City; brother-in-law Elmer Allmendinger of Rapid City, South Dakota; step sisters-in-law Karen Burns of Fremont, Ima Jean Andrews of Moorhead, Iowa, Ilene (Leonard) Guinn of Omaha, Lila (Charlie) Junck of Randolph, Rita Isom of Randolph; 19 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.



Orville was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Marvin Garrett; step mother Bessie Garrett; father-in-law and step mother-in-law Charles and Esther Biber; sisters Onilee (Ken) Weller and Marlene Allmendinger; step brother Roly Isom; step sister Phyllis (Harold) Burns; step brothers-in-law Wayne Burns and Glen Andrews; granddaughter Lisa Garrett; daughter-in-law Anne Garrett; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Garrett and Marian Garrett.