IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Orville Frank

Orville Frank French Profile Photo

French

Apr 15, 1918 — Apr 24, 2014

Obituary

Orville F. French, 96, Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Golden Livingcenter-Meadowbrook, Rapid City, SD. Orville French was born on April 15, 1918 in Norfolk, Nebraska. He was the oldest child of Hobert and Helen French. Eight additional children followed him. He was raised in Norfolk, NE until his asthma was such that he moved to Bonesteel, SD where he lived with his Uncle Ted and Aunt Effie French until he joined the military. He served in the US Army 4th Calvary from 1936 to 1939. After his discharge he returned to Bonesteel where he married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Graham. They moved to Elgin, Illinois where Orville found work as a tool and die maker at Geneva Modern. He worked there for 20 years. Together they raised 5 children. In 1961 they relocated to Winner, SD with the three younger boys. There they opened French's Clothing and Western Wear Store. The store remained open for the next 25 years. Ruth passed away in 1987. They had been married for 45 wonderful years. Longtime family friend, Marian Peer and Orville spent the next 20 years together until Marian's passing. Dad spent the last four years living in Rapid City at the Golden Living Care Center close to his son, Ted and his wife Laurel. Pop was much loved and will be much missed by his entire family. He is survived by his children: Patricia Insley, of Sun City, AZ, Jan Nyari, of Hampshire, Ill., Tyke (Connie) French, of Anchorage, AK, Ted (Laurel) French, of Rapid City, SD and Doug (Karen) French, of Mitchell, NE, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, one sister, Hazel Madison and one brother, Don (Naomi) French.
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Funeral Services

Visitation

April
28

Monday

Prayer

April
28

Monday

Starts at 7:00 pm

Funeral

April
29

Tuesday

Starts at 11:00 am

Burial

April
29

Tuesday

Winner Cemetery

, Winner, SD 57580

Starts at 11:30 am

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