Orrin "Pete" John Oliver

Orrin John "Pete" Oliver was born on May 8, 1916 to William and Anice Maude (Coffmann) Oliver in Guthrie County near Coon Rapids. Pete attended grade school in rural Coon Rapids and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1934. After graduation, Pete worked as a clerk for the Murdy Drug Store in Coon Rapids. From 1935 to 1937, he worked as a cashier at the Armour Creamery. In 1937, Pete began his career as an accountant for the Garst & Thomas Company in Coon Rapids. In 1941, Pete enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Aleutian Islands and Italy as a staff sergeant during World War II. During military leave, Pete and LaVonne Dryden, of Audubon, Iowa, were united in marriage on May 14, 1944. After being discharged from the Army in 1945, Pete and LaVonne made their home together in Coon Rapids. Pete continued to work for Garst & Thomas and during the 1950s, he and LaVonne began their family, adopting two children, Mark and Sue. In 1978, Pete retired from Garst & Thomas but continued to remain active in a number of capacities. In 1979, Pete began overseeing ponds and recreation facilities for Garst Company by maintaining fish populations, wood duck and kestrel houses and bluebird trails. Pete was a member of Coon Rapids Methodist Church for 87 years, serving on various committees and as an auditor for over 30 years. Since 1938, Pete was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was Worshipful Master in 1949 and 1977. He was also a member of the Copestone Chapter, Cryptic Council and Azgad Commandery of the Yorkrite Masons of Iowa, the Des Moines Consistory, Scottish Rite and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine of Des Moines. He served as president and vice president of the Carroll-Greene Shrine Club and for over 45 years, he organized an annual trip to the Shrine Circus in Des Moines for local sixth graders. Pete was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star since 1941 and was named Worthy Patron 20 times. For 63 years, he was a member of the Gurney Parker Post of the American Legion. Pete also enjoyed serving as an adult leader for Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scouts and as a Rainbow Dad for Rainbow for Girls. Pete lived his life as a selfless individual and was willing to lend a helping hand to his family, friends and community. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, hunter and wildlife farmer. He also enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. Pete passed away at Thomas Rest Haven on November 29, 2009 at age 93. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, William and Anice Maude Oliver and his brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Hazel Oliver; sister-in-law Ollyvene and her husband, Dale Hoegh, sister-in-law Esther and her husband, Kenny Farrell. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, LaVonne; son Mark (Pat) Oliver and daughter, Sue Oliver, all of Coon Rapids; grandsons Bradley and Jason (Marni) Oliver of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Matthew, of Ames, Iowa; one great-grandson Aaron Oliver, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and two nieces Lori (Bill) Kness, of Urbandale, and Jacque (Ron) Tate, of Runnells, Iowa. Music "HOW GREAT THOU ART" "IN THE GARDEN" SAM AND CORRINE CRETSINGER, VOCALISTS LULA GARNES, ACCOMPANIST Casket Bearers BRAD OLIVER JASON OLIVER MATTHEW OLIVER MARK THOMAS CHARLIE NIXON TOM ANNEAR WILTSIE CRETSINGER Interment with Military Honors AMERICAN LEGION GURNEY PARKER POST #357 UNION TOWNSHIP CEMETERY NEAR COON RAPIDS, IOWA