Orville Deppe

Orville W. Deppe, age 76 of Waseca, died peacefully on Monday, March 5, 2012, at his daughter's home in Blue Springs, Missouri, after a fifteen month battle with lung cancer. He died as he lived, with dignity, courage, deep faith, and a strong sense of humor. The example of living he set for his family will never be forgotten.   Memorial services will be held on Sunday, March 11th, at 4:00 p.m. at McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Waseca, with Rev. Giles Zimmer officiating.   The Deppe Family will greet friends on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.   Orville William was born on October 19, 1935, to William F. and Frieda A. (Neils) Deppe in Waseca, Minnesota. He attended Waseca High School. On July 2, 1955 he was united in marriage to Gwendolyn J. Isker at the Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca. Orville and Gwenn raised their family and resided in Waseca their entire married life. He was a truck driver for over 50 years, initially in the Waseca area, and in later years on the road with Gwenn and his two beloved puppies, Pokita and Cocoa.  Orville started his trucking career with Southern Minnesota Grocery.  He then went to work for Marv Lau and Murphy Motor Company, and later Bud Schmidt Trucking. For the last 38 years, Orville has owned and operated Deppe Trucking of Waseca. He loved trucking and was very grateful to have spent most of his life doing work that he truly enjoyed. He served on the Waseca Volunteer Fire Department retiring in 1985 after 23 years of service. Orville enjoyed target shooting and motorcycling. He was very mechanically inclined and could fix anything, and generously offered to fix anything that required attention for both friends and family. He enjoyed serving as an Elder at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waseca and spending time with family and friends. He was an avid story teller, and entertained family, friends and acquaintances with stories that often took on a life of their own. The family requests that everyone share your stories of Orville with them at his memorial service. His family will deeply miss and always treasure his playful spirit and fun personality. There was not a person he met that didn't remember him and most often became a friend, rather than an acquaintance.   He is survived by his wife Gwendolyn of Waseca, his daughters, Dianna Deppe of Bloomington, Denise (Michael) Biggar of Blue Springs, Missouri, Danita Proechel of Waseca, Danielle (LeRoy) Mechura of Waseca, and Darla (Neal) Batt of Hartland; by 17 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; by his brother Gene (Lorraine) Deppe of Waseca; by his sisters, Gladys Kletschka of Waseca, Betty Biggerstaff of Englewood, FL, Shirley (Glendon) Conway of Waseca and Barbara (Robert) Larson of Mound; by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.   He was preceded in death by his parents; by one brother Robert Deppe; by two brothers-in-law Loren Biggerstaff and William Kletschka. Honorary bearers are Orville's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.