Sylvia Ardelle Orvik

Sylvia Ardelle Orvik, 94, Silver Bay, died Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Carefree Assisted Living Center.

Ardelle was born December 27, 1929, to Arthur and Emma (Berg) Thompson in Crookston, MN. She married Bennie O. Orvik on May 8, 1949, in Climax, MN. The couple moved to Silver Bay in 1956, where they raised their children.

Ardelle enjoyed hosting family and friends at her home. An avid gardener, she enjoyed the outdoors walking her dog, and even participated in cross country ski outings into her 70s. She enjoyed a variety of crafts and was well-known for her quilting and sewing skills. Ardelle was also an excellent artist. She enjoyed sharing her Norwegian heritage, teaching her grandchildren Norwegian words and phrases. She made lefse, rosettes, Krumkake, and Kransekake (an almond-flavored, stacked wedding cake.) She sang in the Sychar Lutheran Church Choir and volunteered for many church activities.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter, Nancy Soucek, and her siblings, Herbert, Morris, and Alice Hegge.

She is survived by children Bennett (JoAnn) Orvik of Weston, WV; Merlin (Rachel) Orvik of St. Paul, MN; Loren Orvik of Fort Smith, AR; Joseph (Emily) of Beaver Dam, WI; and Rachael (Larry) Thompson of Duluth, MN; grandchildren Brad (Ashley) Orvik, Andrea (Robert) Hall, Kelley Ham, Clayton Orvik, Greg Orvik, Jenny (Jimmy) Dillon, Emma (Ryan) Wendlandt, Andy Soucek, Justine Orvik, Daniel Thompson, Zach (Katy) Thompson, Katrina (Alex) Buckman; and many great-grandchildren. 

Visitation on Thursday, February 22, 2024 will begin at 10 a.m. with a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Sychar Lutheran Church in Silver Bay. Interment at Sawtooth Mountain Cemetery following the service. Memorials may be directed to Sychar Lutheran Church. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Carefree Living and Ecumen Hospice.