Orlo “Lig” Kraske, 83, Wells

Published 12:00 am Monday, July 21, 2003

Orlo “Lig” Kraske, age 83, of Wells, died Sunday, July 20, 2003, at Parkview Care Center in Wells from complications of cancer.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells. The Rev. Monrad Mandsager will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 23, at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 5-7 p.m., and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Emmons. Military honors by the Wells Color Guard.

He was born April 26, 1920, the son of William and Virginia (Lau) Kraske in Albert Lea. He married Clarice I. Emmons on Nov. 27, 1943, in Albert Lea. She preceded him in death. He married Alice Niebuhr and they were later divorced.

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Orlo grew up in Albert Lea and graduated from high school there. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theater; he received the Purple Heart and served in the 415th Infantry Regiment of the 104th Division from 1942 to 1945. Following his honorable discharge, he worked for 21 years as produce manager for Schulenburg’s Super Value in Wells, worked at the Red Owl Store, then owned “Ligs” Cafe in Wells. He was in toy sales for several years prior to his retirement.

He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville, and a former member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells, a 50-year member and past Commander of the Wells American Legion Post, and a member of the Wells VFW Post and a life member of the D.A.V.

Orlo enjoyed playing cards, fishing, his home on Madison Lake and especially his grandchildren.

Two daughters survive him: Vicki and her husband Jerry Dobbe of Wells, and Kris and her husband Bruce Sonnicksen of Winnebago; five grandchildren: Jason (wife Lori) Dobbe, Charity (husband Scott) Adams, Shane Dobbe, Jessica (husband Thad) Sturtz and Dani Jo Sonnicksen; five great-grandchildren: Cody and Casey Dobbe and Jesse, Jacob and Josh Redig; two brothers: Delfred (wife Helen) Kraske of Albert Lea and (his twin) Orion (wife Theon) Kraske of Austin; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Clarice, in 1980.