Orlene J. Wallerich

 Orlene J. Wallerich, age 79, of Plainview, formerly of Reads Landing, died Thursday evening, January 8, 2015 at St. Isidore Health Center of Greenwood Prairie in Plainview. She was born at home December 11, 1935 in West Albany, the daughter of George and Irene (Schultz) VanHouten. She was a graduate of Wabasha High School, class of 1953. She married Robert M. Wallerich October 27, 1956 at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha. Orlene worked at Lake City Knitting Mills and DiAcro in Lake City and then nine years at the Wabasha Nursing Home. She also served as assistant postmistress at the Reads Landing Post Office.
 She was a member of St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview and a former member of St. Felix Catholic Church where she was an active member in its Council of Catholic Women. Orlene was also a member of the Wabasha American Legion Post #50 Auxiliary and a former member of the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086 Auxiliary in Wabasha. She enjoyed reading, sewing, and baking. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her family and all those that knew her.
 Orlene is survived by her husband, Robert Wallerich, Plainview, MN; son and daughter-in-law, David and Kristene Wallerich, Plainview, MN; daughter, Susan Fernholz, Plainview, MN; two grandchildren, Matthew (Samantha) Wallerich and Kara (Erich) Firzlaff; four great-grandchildren, Ahna, Haylee, Landyn and Norah; sisters and brothers-in-law, Freida and Allyn Stoltz, Plainview, MN, Georgia and Roger Packer, St. Paul, MN; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Carol VanHouten, Lake City, MN, Ralph and Betty VanHouten, Byers, CO, Dwaine and Mary Jo VanHouten, Little Canada, MN, Mark VanHouten, Rochester, MN; nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by Bob’s siblings and family: Joseph (Mary) Wallerich, Wabasha, MN, Mary Lou Rutz, Lake City, MN, Francis (Mary Pat) Wallerich, Wabasha, MN, Norbert (Colleen) Wallerich, Rochester, MN; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by son-in-law, Edward James Fernholz and her parents, George and Irene VanHouten.
 A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 11:00am at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha with the Reverend Monsignor Robert Meyer officiating. Interment was in St. Felix Cemetery. Casket bearers were Matthew Wallerich, Erich Firzlaff, Jon and Nick Wallerich and John and Jim Rutz. Family and friends called at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Sunday from 4-7pm and at the church on Monday one hour before the service. The family prefers memorials. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha was in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com