Orval Alfred Proechel

ORVAL ALFRED PROECHEL, age 92 of Waseca, died on the evening of Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Orval was born in Waseca on July 4, 1932 to parents Alfred Herman Hugo and Erna Lucille (Scholljegerdes) Proechel. He completed most of his schooling in Pemberton before graduating from New Richland High School with the class of 1950. On August 30, 1953 Orval married Joan Rosenthal at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca. Although he did spend several years employed by Otisco Fertilizer and Wenger Corporation in Owatonna, Orval was a farmer through and through. He raised both crops and livestock, and he loved his work.  He was a long-time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca and he belonged to the Farmer’s Union. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, polka music, and playing cards. Orval was a happy, outgoing man who never met a stranger, and he will be greatly missed.

Orval is survived by his children, Lonnie (Mary Petersen) Proechel of Waseca, Todd (Joyce) Proechel of Waseca, Scott (Lori) Proechel of Owatonna, and DeeAnn (Troy Howard) Kamara of Minneapolis; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a brother Merlyn (Bonnie) Proechel of Waseca; and siblings-in-law, Darryl and Carol Rosenthal of Waseca. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his wife; a son, Perry Proechel; and a sister in infancy, Betty.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Saturday afternoon.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca, with Rev. Michael Grannis officiating. Interment will follow on Saturday evening at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.