Orville Steven Crom

January 10, 1939 - June 18, 2022

Orville Steven Crom, 83, of Kenesaw, NE died on June 18, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Friday, June 24, 2022 at the Juniata Community Church with Reverends Tom Murray and Richard Vader officiating. Burial will follow in the Kenesaw Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, June 23rd at the church. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Orville was born on January 10, 1939 in Tekamah, NE to Charles “Dorman” and Daisy Eunice (Brown) Crom. He grew up in Decatur, NE and received his education at Decatur Public Schools. He entered the United States Army on June 27, 1962 serving until he was honorably discharged on June 26, 1964. He was united in marriage to Virginia Mae Jones on July 31, 1960 in West Point, NE. After which the couple lived in West Point where Orville was employed by Cumming County Rural Public Power as a lineman. He had also lived in Tillicum, WA during his draft service and in Seward, NE where he was employed by the Seward County Rural Public Power as a foreman and later the operations superintendent. Between Cumming county and Seward county REA's Orville served over 40 years in the rural electric association. In retirement the couple made Kenesaw home.

He was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association, Brothers of the Third Wheel, attended West Point Baptist Church and Seward Evangelical Free Church. He loved to fish, camp, spoil his grandchildren and play 10-point pitch with his family. One of his proud accomplishments was that from his humble beginnings during his time in West Point he built four houses while still working full time.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Virginia Crom; daughter, Michelle Crom; honorary daughters, Donna (Crom) Hinrickson and Robin Saatmann; granddaughter, Alandria Crom; honorary grandchildren, Joey Candelarie, Danielle Hinrickson Stratman and Sierra Hinrickson Cunningham.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Charles Crom; honorary grandchild, Derek Candelarie and nephew, Greg Saatmann

History Update by Orville Crom on 50th Class Reunion in 2009

Spouse:  Virginia

Children:  Michelle Crom-33

     After graduation (just barely) I moved to Riverside, California because my brother, Charles, was there.  We both worked at the air craft factory.  The life style there was too much for me, a country boy living in the big city.  With only 2 or 3 months in California, I came back to Decatur, and started working with my Dad picking corn and several other farm jobs for a year.

     I worked near West Point, NE, where in April I met Virginia Jones.  In December 1959, I went to work for the Cuming County Rural Power District.  In July 1960, Virginia and I married.  In June 1962, I was drafted into the army for 2 years, the 41st Signal Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington.

     In 1964, I returned to West Point and worked at the Cuming County Public Power District as a lineman.  In 1974 we welcomed the birth of our daughter, Michelle.  We brought her home from the hospital on our 14th Anniversary.  We attended the West Point Baptist Church.

     In 1980 we moved to Seward, NE, in a advancement with Seward County Public Power District.  Our church attendance was with the Evangelical Free Church.  In 2003 I retired as operation superintendent with over 40 years in the public power business.

     To be close to our daughter, we moved to Kenesaw, NE.  We are longtime members of the Christian Motorcycle Association, riding motorcycles.  Building a homemade trike, we joined "Brother's of the 3rd Wheel" where at the present time I am the Nebraska State Director.

My hobbies over the years have been flower gardens.  At the present, Orchids under lights are my passion, along with as circumstances provide, "A Trike Ride".