Orville C. Mallak

Orville C. Mallak, 93, Village of Maine, went to heaven on Thursday, July 4, 2024 at his home. Orville was born on July 17,1930 in Chicago, Illinois, son of Leo and Lucille (Orlikowski) Mallak.  In 1932 he moved to Edgar, then lived in Wausau, and later moved to Merrill in 1934.  He attended St. James Catholic School and graduated from Wausau East High School.

Orville proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1950-1954.  While enlisted, during the Korean War, he spent time in the Mediterranean, North Africa, France, and Italy.  Several years ago, he took the Never Forgotten Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

During his monumental life as a bricklayer he worked for Huffman Company and other companies for several years.  He retired at the age of 62.  Orville had a fully active life and was a member of St. Anne Parish.  He was an usher for 45 years and participated in several events at St. Anne’s.  Orville was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, President of the Union Brick Layers, and financial secretary for building trades.  He was a leader of the Boy Scouts and travelled to the Seattle World’s Fair, and also was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Burns Post #388.  He enjoyed traveling with the Jerry Goetsch travel group to destinations like Germany, Australia, Italy, Hawaii, and Mexico.

Orville enjoyed gardening.  He had a green thumb when it came to gardening tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, peas, and beautiful flowers.  He enjoyed canoeing, reading, watching Western Documentaries and Classic movies, and was an avid deer hunter.  He particularly enjoyed family gatherings and reunions.

He leaves behind his beloved partner of over 36 years that he met at the Palm’s Supper Club, Audrey Lemmer.

Orville is further survived by four sisters, Little Sis Bonnie Sproat of St. Cloud, Florida, Joyce Kufahl of Wausau, Marlene Stoelting of Merrill, and Delores Woller of Eagle River; one brother-in-law, Clifford Woller of Eagle River; nieces, Debra Feltz, Sherri Via, and Carla Juedes; and nephews, Brian Kufahl, and Randy & Steve Woller.  Orville was also a great-uncle to several nieces’ and nephews’ children. Two special cousins, Wally Orlikowski of Athens and Rosemary Caliva of Port Richie, Florida, also survive, as well as several other cousins.

A message to our brother from his sisters, “There is no other love like the love for a brother, there is no other love like the love from a brother.  You went away so suddenly, and we did not say goodbye, Orville, but our love for our brother can never be parted and our precious memories will never die.”

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 700 West Bridge Street, Wausau.  Rev. Tom Lindner will preside. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service all at the church.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Wounded Warriors, or a gift of a tree.