Obituary of Orville Leonard Rupertus
Orville Leonard Rupertus
(December 31, 1936 - August 24, 2023)
Orville Leonard Rupertus passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at the age of 86.
He was born on December 31, 1936 in Wetaskiwin, the second son of Richard and Hazel (Walstra) Rupertus.
As a child, they lived in Gwynne overlooking the valley. Then in 1951, they moved to the Rupertus homestead.
He attended the old Gwynne school and took high school in the old Camp Center school in Wetaskiwin.
During his school years, Orville enjoyed playing baseball, fishing, making his own fishing plugs, and ice curling, winning many bonspiels.
His employment began at Alder Flats in the saw mill. He then moved to C.P.R. for a short time and then to Didrickson construction for four years. Orville also worked one winter for Charlie Cunmmings in the Peace River area near Red Earth.
On May 6 1959, he married Gladys Thompson, the youngest daughter of Aubrey and Doris (Nelson) Thompson of the Millet district. They lived in Gwynne for ten years, during which time he worked in construction and obtained his journeyman in carpentry. They had four children, Kevin who died in infancy, Glenn, David, and Karen.
In May 1969, Orville moved his family to Camrose and he started his own business G.O. Construction. He continued to build houses until his retirement in 1999.
Orville loved life and the people he met along his journey. He enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips. Orville was an active member of Camrose Fish and Game, making countless bird houses and magpie traps, not to mention his involvement in the Camrose Ski Club. He enjoyed curling, slow pitch, square dancing, and cribbage.
Gladys passed away in January 2001, and Orville married Agnes Piller in March 2003. They enjoyed square dancing and Orville introduced Agnes to floor curling. They enjoyed traveling to the Panama Canal, Alaska, Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
They resided in Orville’s home until 2018 when they moved to Rosealta.
Orville is survived by his loving wife Agnes; sons Glenn Rupertus (Kathleen Robertson) and David (Debra) Rupertus; daughter Karen (David) Reynolds; and his grandchildren Stephanie, Orion, Samuel, Dustin, Christine (Tristan), Jennifer, and William.
Orville was predeceased by his parents Richard and Hazel Rupertus; wife Gladys in 2001; son Kevin in 1963; and brother Rowland Rupertus in 2020.
A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 8, 2023 from Messiah Lutheran Church, 4810 - 50th Street Camrose officiated by Rev. Norm Lentz. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at service time at the following link: https://messiahcamrose.ca/ A recording will be accessible a few days following the service.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Orville's memory may be made to Camrose and District Fish and Game Association.
