Orville J. Johann

Orville Joseph Johann, age 99, of Appleton, Wisconsin, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, September 4, 2023.  Dad was born on the family farm on February 14, 1924, to John and Gretchen (Merget) Johann.  Dad often told how his father had to take the horse and cutter through the deep snow to pick up the doctor and bring him to the farm house for his birth.

Dad took over the family farm in 1954 when his dad retired.  In 1962, the barn burned down so he went on to begin his LP gas career with Midland Cooperative.  In 1969, Dad started and managed a very successful LP gas department at Larsen Cooperative where he worked until his retirement in 1986.

Dad met the love of his life, Lucile Hopfensperger, through a friend in 1944.  They married on July 28, 1945, and spent 65 happy years together until her death in 2010.  They brought nine children into this world and fostered two children.  Their life revolved around their very large family.  They didn’t go anywhere without taking the entire family with them.  Their children and grandchildren were the joy of their life. 

In his early years, Dad played the accordion and was a very talented roller skater.  Orville and Lucile spent their early years playing cards with friends, taking day trips with family, gardening, and helping others with any project that needed tackling.  There wasn’t any project Dad couldn’t handle from electrical, plumbing, or woodworking.  Dad was a skilled craftsman and loved working in his workshop.  He made birdhouses and nativity mangers for the entire family.  He made toy boxes for each great-grandchild.

In their retirement, Mom and Dad traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada, played cards and went to luncheons with friends.  Dad spent many summer vacations in Eagle River with his children and grandchildren.  He took a special fishing trip with his son and grandsons to Canada, traveled to Colorado with his children and grandchildren, and spent a special week in Arizona with his brother, Alden.

Dad was a member of the Larsen-Winchester Lion’s Club for many years.

Dad was a kind and caring man who loved his family deeply.  Spending every holiday together was important to him.  He put his family and others before himself always.  Dad was a great story teller, sharing stories from his youth, farm days, and LP gas career.  He will be deeply missed.

Dad was a faithful and devoted member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church.  He lived his strong faith daily in the way he treated and truly cared about others.

Dad will be sadly missed by his children:  Jerome (Marilyn) Johann, Carol (John) McDaniel, John (Carla) Johann, James Johann, Nancy Nespbor, Diane (David) Willing, Sharon (Joe) Lenard; Foster Children:  Patricia Ermis and Edmund Shukoski.  His grandchildren:  John (Carissa), Alexa (Joe), Tina, Andy (Kathryn), Debbie, Tammy (Mike), Renee (Martin), Alex (Samantha), Jessica (Rafe), and Lauren (Ciara); foster grandchildren:  Charles (Erin), Tracy, Michael (Becky), and Laura.  In addition, he is survived by his great-grandchildren:  Oliver, Jackson, Johnny, James, Zea, Logan, Diamond, Kyla (Eric), Jayden, Elizabeth, Dexter, Calvin, Chito, Emilio, Viviana, Leila, Alex (Kira); and great-great-grandchildren:  Brayden, Noah and Salem.  He is also survived by his brother Vernon (Marlene) Johann; sisters-in-law:  Carol Johann and Marian Thibodeau; and brothers-in-law:  Ron (Marliea) Hopfensperger and Bill Hopfensperger.  Dad is further survived by a special nephew and godson Wally Schmalz.

Dad was welcomed into heaven by his beloved wife, Lucile; two infant sons Orville Jr. and Joseph; his parents;  son-in-law Peter Nespbor; a sister Jeanette Kurtyka; a brother Alden Johann; foster grandson Matthew Shukoski, and special friend Agnes Nysse.

The funeral liturgy for Dad will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2331 E. Lourdes, Appleton, with Fr. Joe Dorner officiating.  Interment will take place in Holy Angels Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Saturday, September 9 from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of the mass.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund for St. Bernadette Catholic Church will be established.

The family would like to thank the ThedaCare staff, especially nurses Eric and Tuneka for their compassionate care of Dad.  Thank you to Fr. Joe Dorner for supporting Dad in his final journey.