Orville P. Stadum was born April 28, 1916, on the family farm in Broe Township, rural Esmond, N.D., to Carl and Mable (Ness) Stadum.  He attended school in Baker.  On June 21, 1947, Orville married Mabel Tollefson at the Albert Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Maddock.  Orville was well-known for wiring many of the farmsteads in the Albert-Hesper communities.  The couple lived in Maddock until 1949, when they rented and later bought his Uncle Peter Stadum's farm in Isabel Township, rural Esmond.  In 1961 the house that Orville was born and raised in was moved to the farm.  Orville and Mabel worked side by side building a beautiful and successful farm.  Mabel passed away on December 8, 2005.  Orville moved into the Maddock Memorial Home and lived there until July 2009, when his health warranted that he move into the Good Samaritan Center in Devils Lake.

Orville was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Esmond.  He served on different local and county boards over the years.  He loved being a farmer and was very proud of his Norwegian heritage.  Above all, Orville dearly loved his wife, Mabel, his family, the time spent with them and the Stadum Farm.

Surviving are his three children:  Duane & Corinne Stadum of Maddock, ND;  Donna & Paul Gutschmidt of Devils Lake, ND; and Linda & Norm Otheim of West Fargo, ND; 4 grandchildren:  Travis Stadum, David, Mark, & Hope Gutschmidt; 4 step-grandchildren: Anthony Hart, Nicole (Lance) Alexander, Meribeth Hart & Joshua Hart; 2 step-great-grandchildren:  Paige & Parker Alexander;  a brother:  Ernest (Lilly) Stadum of Fargo, ND and 3 sisters:  Selma Sundet of Maddock, ND, Ina Stadum of Fargo, ND, and Elaine (George) Marquette of Milnor, ND.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel of 58 years, his parents, two brothers:  Norman and Clifford, and one sister Mildred.







Condolences:

I received an email from my oldest sister, Vydell, of Orville's passing today. I send my sincere condolences. I rejoice in knowing that Orville is with God now. May this condolence comfort you knowing others are there in prayer, thoughts,and many memories. God Bless you.

Linda John
youngest daughter of
Melvin and Gladys Lider





Donna, Duane and Linda; I was reading the Benson County Press and was so saddened to see your Dad had passed. I remember such good times growing up when Ann and I would spend Sunday afternoons around your family's kitchen table with all of you playing UNO. Those were such fun times. Your folks were such good people and I will remember them fondly always. May God bless you and your family. My heartfelt condolences to all of you.
Denise Arnold