Corrine A. Michaelson-Orvick, 93
Elmore – Corrine Ann Michaelson-Orvick of Elmore, MN, was born on Dec 18, 1930. She passed away on Aug. 8, 2024.
Corrine Ann was the sixth child born to Michael and Nettie Michaelson on a farm just west of Rake, Iowa. Corrine and her living siblings, Marshall, Lila, and Norma grew up during the Great Depression and attended the Country School not far from their home. The walk to and from school, about two miles, seemed even longer in the winter. They all attended high school in Rake, Iowa.
Corrine went on to attend Waldorf College, where she gathered wonderful lifelong memories and friends. An avid singer with a dramatic soprano voice, Corrine was chosen to be a soloist for the Waldorf Concert Choir in her freshman year.
Corrine met her future husband, Sam Orvick, at her sister Norma’s wedding. They started dating and soon became engaged. Corrine wanted to spend some time working for her own money, so wedding plans were on hold for a year. During this time, she experienced living and working on her own in Albert Lea, a period she cherished.
Sam and Corrine married on Sept. 7, 1950. Sam bought a property near Elmore, and together they started a farm and a family. They had four children: Lark, Michael, Carol, and Mark. They were active members of Shiloh Lutheran Church, where Corrine taught Sunday School, led the Children’s Choir, sang in the Adult Choir, and participated in various community, school, and church activities.
In the mid-60s, with her children older, Corrine decided to earn some extra spending money for the family. She started selling World Book Encyclopedias and soon won awards and citations for her salesmanship. She later added Figurette shapewear to her line and did equally well. Corrine was not only good at selling but also believed in supporting the businesses of her community and the places she and Sam traveled.
Corrine started acting with the local Melodrama community theater in the late 60s and 70s. One of her favorite roles was as Gwendolyn Finefeathers, which she performed with excellence and enjoyment.
Corrine loved nothing more than being a grandmother. She excelled at many things, but grand mothering was her best. She cherished each of her nine grandchildren and five great-granddaughters. This giving spirit grew to include great nieces and nephews who also called her their Grandma Corrine. She was always ready for tea parties, babysitting for a night, weekend or six weeks. She loved buying them gifts for every occasion. She never hosted a holiday without a special little gift for each person attending, making every guest or child feel like the most welcome visitor in the world.
Corrine is preceded in death by her husband, Sam Orvick; her parents, Michael and Symonette Michaelson; and her siblings, Marshall Michaelson, Lila Gilbert, and Norma Gatton.
She is survived by her four children: Lark Orvick-Moore, Michael Orvick, Carol Orvick-Larson, and Mark Orvick. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Fred Moore, Jr., Leischen Moore, Peter Orvick, Grace Orvick Bursey, Andrew Orvick, Alexandra Larson Groten, Jade Larson, Sigurd Orvick, and Stellan Orvick; and five great-granddaughters: Frances Jean Moore, Olivia Bursey, Aliza Bursey, Helena Groten, and Inez Groten.
Family by love and marriage: Fred Moore, David Larson, Angie Orvick, Karoline Lewis, Joel Groten, Andy Bursey, Sarah Barkman, Alexis Orvick, Marvel M’Jones, Michael Gilbert, Mark Gilbert Karen Beer, Marsha Shaw, Marly Evenson, Marvel Mitterholzer, Dawn Weringa who worked so lovingly to help Sam and Corrine stay in their home as long as possible.
Memorial Service will be held at Shiloh Lutheran, Elmore, on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 at 1 p.m.
Interment will be at Riverview Cemetery in Elmore.