Orpha Hildred Wilson was born on March 19, 1920, at Glenwood to Martin and Helga (Halvorson) Nelson. She was baptized on May 3, 1920, at Glenwood by Pastor J. Linnevold and was confirmed on May 20, 1934, at Big Bend Lutheran Church by Pastor C. Jensen. She attended Appleton High School for three years and received her G.E.D. in 1988 at Southwestern Technical School at Granite Falls.On October 30, 1938, she was married to Dale Lamar Wilson at her grandparent's home by Pastor C. Jenson. After their marriage they lived and farmed west of Appleton for 41 years. After this they bought a hobby farm between New London and Belgrade and lived there four and a half years. On October 4, 1986 they bought a home in Appleton.Orpha loved to bake and was known for her lefse and cakes. She won numerous ribbons at the county fair. Orpha wrote and published two children books and other stories were published in magazines and newspapers. She sewed Teddy Bears and other animals and gave to all grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and charities for children. She was active with the Glory Circle at Zion Lutheran Church and attended meetings for the Senior Citizens Center. Due to failing health Orpha had lived at Divine Providence Health Care Center in Ivanhoe for the last five months.Orpha died on Monday, November 16th, at the Hendricks Hospital. She had attained 89 years, 7 months, and 27 days of age.She is survived by five children: Rodney (Beverly) Wilson of Ivanhoe, Mary (Roger) Olson of New London, Maureen Hjelle (special friend, Clayton Zondervan) of New London, Bradley Wilson (special friend Janet Hoiem) of Bellingham, Dale Wilson, Jr., of Duluth; son-in-law, Lester Erickson, of Willmar; daughter-in-law, Cindy Wilson, of Belgrade; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and other relatives.She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dale, in 1987; three infant daughters; daughter Marva Erickson in 1986; two sons: Richard Wilson in 2003 and Bruce Wilson in 2007; son-in-law, Carlton Hjelle in 2003; four sisters: Lorraine Lea, Helen Skogberg, Ruth Thralow and Esther Lye; her brother, Marvin Nelson; and grandparents, Odd and Randi Halvorson, who raised Orpha.
