Orville G. Hegseth

Orville Glendyn Hegseth, 89, of Lake City, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020 at the Lake City Care Center.  He was born November 18, 1930 in Spring Grove, MN to Andrew and Theoline (Tollefsrud) Hegseth.  He grew up in in Spring Grove and graduated from high school in 1948.  He farmed with his dad for several years.  On a blind date in October, Orville met the love of his life, Joyce Boyum, who was a new teacher in Spring Grove. It turned out to be love at first sight. They were married in Joyce’s hometown on June 30, 1951 at Little Cedar Lutheran Church in Adams, MN.  They farmed at several different locations for the first four years of marriage and started their family. As children kept coming, Orville worked at a variety of jobs, which led to learning the grocery business. In 1962, with six children, Joyce and Orville moved to St. Charles.  A few years later, Orville started the Get-N-Go convenience stores. His business grew, and eventually he had stores in Stewartville, Lewiston, St. Charles, Dover, Eyota, Rochester, Preston, and Winona.  He made sure his six children had jobs at the stores when they were barely tall enough to reach the cash register. Joyce and Orville raised their family in St. Charles for 15 years, creating many memories there. Orville’s family expanded as the six children brought friends to their home to hang out or enjoy a game of basketball in the driveway. In 1977 Orville downsized his business and moved to Lake City where he opened his last store and sold the others. Finally, after many years of providing for his family, he sold his Lake City store in 1996 and retired.  On any given day, you could find Orville in “Grandpa’s Shed,” planning his next flower garden and tinkering with his tools. Orville visited relatives in Norway and was immensely proud of his Norwegian heritage. He treasured his children and embraced every moment with them, often spending time at their Florida condo and visiting their California families. Most of all, Orville loved spending time with his fifteen grandchildren, attending sporting events, graduations, and weddings. His favorite hello and his hardest goodbye were reserved for his eighteen great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce of Lake City. He is the beloved father of children, Steven (Kathy) of San Marcos, CA, Susan (Jay) Schneider of Rochester, MN, Stuart (Beth) of Tarpon Springs, FL, Scott (Ginny) of Tampa, FL, Sherri (Brent) Engelbrekt of Lake City, MN, and Sidney (Norrie) of Lakeville, MN. His sister, Ione (Richard) Overby of Kenyon share many memories growing up together. He took extreme pride in his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents.  He is a member of First Lutheran Church of Lake City.

A graveside burial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Oakwood Cemetery in Lake City with Reverend Tim Ehling officiating.  The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Lake City Care Center staff for their excellent care and love they provided Orville.  Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church in Lake City. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com