Orval Hradek

1919 - 2021

ORVAL HRADEK Sigourney Orval Hradek, 101, of Sigourney, died Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney. Orval was born Oct. 24, 1919, in Wellman, to Charles and Etta (Wade) Hradek. He graduated from Wellman High School and attended Junior College for one year. On Sept. 28, 1940, Orval married Mary Catherine Ballensky in Lancaster, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Orval farmed for 45 years and also did electrical work for 16 years and sold insurance for 12 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member of the Sigourney United Methodist Church, Gideons, 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge, Consistory and Shrine and was a charter member of the Ollie Lions Club. Survivors include two sons, Doug (Charlette) Hradek of Urbandale and Lanny (Susan) Hradek of St. Charles, Missouri; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and one on the way; and a great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Catherine, in 1992; brother, Wilbur Hradek; grandson, Brian Hradek; and longtime companion, Phyllis Clingan. Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at Sigourney United Methodist Church, with Pastor Cathy Nutting officiating. The service will also be livestreamed on the Powell Funeral Home facebook page. Burial with military honors will be at Pennington Cemetery in rural Sigourney. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. A memorial fund has been established for the Sigourney United Methodist Church. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Orval and his family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.