Orville H. Vreim

Orville Vreim, age 91, of Wilmot, SD, passed away on November 3, 2025, in Milbank, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church in Wilmot. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service. Burial, with military honors, will be in the Wilmot Lutheran Cemetery.

The service will be live streamed, recorded, and viewable below this obituary.

A life rooted in faith, family, and the farm…

Orville Vreim was born into a proud, Norwegian farming heritage that began when his grandpa, Ole, and his great-uncle, Gunder, journeyed from Norway to Wilmot at just 17 and 19-years-old. They built a legacy that took root in 1879, with the establishment of the Vreim Family Farm, a place that would remain home to generations for over a century. Growing up in Wilmot, Orville found joy in the land and community that shaped him. He graduated from Wilmot High School in the spring of 1952. He played catcher on the Wilmot baseball team, a testament to his hard-working spirit and love for friendly competition.

In 1956, Orville enlisted in the US Army, receiving an honorable discharge two years later. He was living in Nevada and working for a government contractor when his father, Melvin, fell ill and asked him to take over the family farm. Orville never hesitated - and never had a single regret.

On September 1, 1967, he married the love of his life, Janice (Pauli) Vreim, and together they built a life grounded in faith, hard work, and love for more than 57 years. They shared a deep bond raising their children and later welcoming many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who adored him and loved him dearly. He loved when his girls helped on the farm and found great joy in the laughter and chaos the family brought.

His life was filled with simple pleasures. He cherished hunting and fishing with friends, tending to the farm, and cultivating some of the best sweet corn in the county. He was a true animal lover, caring for pigs, cattle, horses, chickens, guinea hens, and even his buffalo named Custer. His stubborn Texas longhorn bull and countless barn cats kept life on the farm interesting but none were closer to his heart than his loyal hunting dogs, Wood 1, 2, and 3.

Whether sitting in the elevator to chat with his farmer buddies, playing cards, or sipping coffee at the café during his early morning talks, he was happiest in the company of good friends, often with a container of Skoal in his pocket and occasionally a shot of blackberry brandy.

Orville never forgot his friends, often speaking fondly of those who had gone before him. He was a man of few words. His quiet strength, humor, and kindness spoke volumes, and he was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a true cowboy who lived life with gratitude, humility, and a deep appreciation for the simple things. He never asked for more than he needed, and he left behind a legacy of love, hard work, and family that will live on for generations to come. He will be missed dearly, but his stories, lessons, and laughter will forever echo across the land he loved so much.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Richard (Laura) Croymans of Winnetka, CA; Cynthia (Percy Jr.) Chamley of Wilmot, SD; Marilyn (Jim) Pierce of Wilmot, SD; and Michelle (Wayne) Lacher of Urbandale, IA; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Alpha Behrns of Peever, SD; sisters-in-law: Verdean Vreim of Milbank, SD; Carol Vreim of Oregon; and Mona Hanna of Sioux Falls, SD.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents: Melvin and Myrtle; two brothers: Robert and Russell; and his wife, Janice.

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