Orville Hellandsaas, 89, of rural Watford City, ND, died Friday, January 13, 2017, at McKenzie County Hospital.

Orville Melvin Hellandsaas was born July 28, 1927, the son of Sigurd and Hannah (Wold) Hellandsaas. He attended school in Watford City and enlisted in the Navy during his senior year at the age of 17. He served on the USS Hornet during World War II.

On November 15, 1952 he married Juliet Marie Swenson at the Keene First Lutheran Church. They had three children, John, Jody and Scott. Orville purchased the Emil Degerness farm. To help pay for the farm they traveled with road construction work for 20 years throughout ND, MT, SD and WY and in 1966 they moved back to the farm. Orville had a love of the land that he passed unto his children and grandchildren.

Orville was a member of the Banks Lutheran Church holding many offices throughout the years. He was on the board of the Good Shepherd during the 60’s and 70’s and also worked on the board of the ND Weather Modification.

Orville moved to the GSH in October 2015.

He is survived by his son, John (Marcia) and their son Eric; daughter Jody (James) Renbarger and their son Cory (Amanda), child Bella; daughter-in-law Peggy (Leiseth) and children, Nicole (Justin) Johnsrud, children Gracie and Judd, Derek (Lacey) Mott, children Rowdy and Brindle, Kari (Rex) Korslien, children KC, Kash and Kenley, Jade Fahrman, children Chloe and Tynlee.

He was preceded in death by wife Juliet (2000), son Scott (2016), grandson Jeremiah Renbarger (2000), sister Irene Evanson (2000), brother John (1949) and his parents Sigurd (1931) and Hannah (1976).