Marianne Stadler Orvis, 83, of Farmington, died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 24 after a short hospitalization at Doctors Medical Center, Modesto.
She was born in Manteca to Robert Stadler and Juliana Dunst Stadler, who emigrated from Switzerland and Austria to the United States. She lived in Manteca until the family bought rural property in Oakdale in 1940. She graduated from Oakdale High School in 1949 and attended Stockton College. She married her high school sweetheart, Jim Orvis, in 1950. After their marriage and Jim’s attendance at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, she and her husband returned to the historic Snow Ranch to continue the family cattle ranching business.
Mrs. Orvis was a homemaker and asset to the family business. After her children were grown, she worked at the Farmington Post Office. She enjoyed the positive relationships she developed there and was appreciated by everyone she came in contact with for her smile, friendliness, and helpful attitude.
She was fortunate to have many lifelong friends, the most special being members of The Supper Club, a group of friends since high school and college, and some even before that. The group recently marked its 56th year of monthly gatherings for dinner.
She was especially devoted to her family. She was also a gracious hostess and conversationalist. She always made everyone feel welcomed in her home and was truly interested in what was going on in their lives. She loved to travel, especially in Mexico and Central America.
She is survived by her daughter, Janet (David) Orvis-Cook of Valley Springs; sons, Jim (Susan) Orvis and Bob Orvis of Farmington, Mike (Deb Dight) Orvis of Atascadero, and Tom (Melinda) Orvis of Oakdale; sisters, Elizabeth Brichetto of Oakdale, Josephine Stadler of San Rafael, Rosemarie Swain of Fresno, Barbara (Ed) Gookin of Milton, Catherine (Luis) Leiva of San Francisco; brothers, John (Raylyn) of Fox Island, Wash., Carl (Margaret) Stadler of Oakdale; grandchildren, Francesca Orvis of Reno, Nev., Dominic and Marc Orvis of Oakdale, Ashley Orvis Johnson of Lutz, Florida; six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Jim Orvis; her parents, brothers, Rev. Robert G. Stadler, Joseph E. Stadler; and sister, Caroline Baley.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at Oakdale Memorial Chapel, 830 West F St. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1225 Olive St., Oakdale. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her name to Helping Hands, 1225 Olive Ave., Oakdale, CA 95361.
