A funeral liturgy for Orville Albert “Bert” Donovan, 87, will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wheatland, Wyoming with Father Hiep Nguyen as Celebrant. A vigil for the deceased will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church with Deacon Terry Archbold as the officiant.
Live stream link for the service is https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/7620746576
Bert was born Thursday, June 7, 1934 in Chula, Missouri to John W. and Mary A. (Fitzpatrick) Donovan. Bert’s family moved to Iowa when he was two years old. In his early years in Ireton, Iowa, he played football and the tuba in the school band. Bert had a paper route and also helped his brother-in-law on their farm, at this same time he assisted a butcher and worked for a farm equipment /auto dealership before joining the United States Navy on his 17th birthday.Orville Albert “Bert” Donovan passed away on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at his home in Wheatland.
Bert was on the USS Kaskaskia in the Korean Conflict as a machinist mate in the engine room. He was honorably discharged in 1955.
Bert married Dorothy A. Kuemper on January 7, 1956 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, seven children were born to the union.
From December, 1957 to October, 1969, Bert worked for Dairyland Power Cooperative in Alma, Wisconsin. To support his growing family, he took a second job as a plumber apprentice.
Then he moved his family to Center, North Dakota in 1969 to take a control room operator job at Minnkota Power Cooperative. In February, 1975, he became the Training Supervisor to prepare the operations staff for the second unit being built. Bert was Operation Supervisor when he left Minnkota.
Bert ended in Wheatland, with Basin Electric Power Cooperation as Operation Supervisor in 1978. A year later he became the Operation Superintendent which he held until his retirement in 1995.
In retirement Bert enjoyed wood working and building many unique pieces of furniture for family and friends. Bert enjoyed camping in the mountains of Wyoming and traveling around the country.
Bert is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 65 years; his children, Mary Erhardt of Center, North Dakota, Kevin (Mary) Donovan of Bismarck, North Dakota, Danette Donovan of Wheatland, Shane (Laurie) Donovan of Holcomb, Kansas, Robert (Robin) Donovan of Gillette Wyoming, and David (Shannon) Donovan of Marysville, Washington; daughter-in-law, LeeAnn (Mark) Donovan of Mandan, North Dakota; 18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, three sisters, one sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters and four brothers; son, Patrick; son-in-law Jeff Erhardt; granddaughter, Katie Henderscheid; and great grandson, Davon Keefe.
Memorials may be made to the charity or organization of the donor’s choice.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of ORVILLE ALBERT "BERT" DONOVAN, please visit our floral store.