NICOLLET­–Orpha Shirley Ann Hermel, age 98, of Nicollet died peacefully on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at the ECUMEN Prairie Hill Assisted Living in St. Peter. Funeral service will be 3 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nicollet. Pastor Micah Plocher will officiate, and burial will follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Nicollet. Visitation will be held from 1-3 pm on Friday at the church in Nicollet prior to the service. The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements at this time. To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Orpha was born May 18, 1926, to Ole and Alma (Lokensgard) Ellingson. She was baptized and confirmed at Swan Lake Lutheran Church, rural Nicollet. Orpha graduated from St. Peter High School in 1943 and later attended Mankato Commercial College and worked as a secretary.

Orpha met the love her life, Marvin Hermel, and they were married on January 20th, 1946. They were blessed with four children, Donald, Julie, Michael, and Janet. Orpha loved her family and friends. She would spend time in the kitchen, baking and creating delicious meals for her family. The freezer was stocked with goodies for the grandkids. Some of her favorite hobbies were gardening, canning, and sewing. She worked hard on the farm right alongside Marvin helping wherever she could. She attended Trinity Lutheran Church and enjoyed being involved in the Ladies Guild.

Orpha was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Marvin in 2006, her parents Ole and Alma Ellingson, her son Donald Hermel, daughter-in-law Jane D. Hermel, parents-in-law John and Anna Hermel, great-grandson Liam Apell, siblings and their spouses Lorraine (Bud) Honken, Lila (Morris) Nelson and Obe (Rosalyn) Ellingson. Marvin’s siblings Elmer (Esther) Hermel, Florence (Mike) Bublitz, Agnes (Ted) Fluegge and many other special family members and friends.

Survivors include her children Julie (Paul) Kruse, Michael (Jane M.) Hermel and Janet (Jerry) Geisler; 7 grandchildren: John Hermel, Tim (Megan) Kruse, Jacob (Angie) Johnson, Angela Hermel (fiancé Eric Banken), Krystal (Markus Apell), Jesye (Nic) Leonard, Jamie Hermel (fiancé Christopher Lottes); 2 step-grandchildren: Todd (Leslie) Geisler, Grant (Kelsey) Geisler; 15 great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Trinity Lutheran Church, Nicollet, MN or to the charity of your choice on her behalf.

Special thanks to Ecumen Staff for their excellent care.

Mvfh.org

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