Orval B. Gubrud, age 84, of Canby, MN, passed away Friday, December 26, 2025 at his home in Canby, MN. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026 at Nicolai Lutheran Church in Canby, MN. Burial will be in the Canby City Cemetery, Canby. Visitation will be held 5 – 7 pm with a 7 pm Prayer Service on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN and will resume Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
Orval Bernard Gubrud of Canby, Minnesota passed away at his home surrounded by family on December 26th, 2025. Orval was born April 11, 1941 to Arthur and Luella Gubrud, Orval Bernard Gubrud was baptized at Nicolai Lutheran Church. As a farm boy, he grew up in Oshkosh Township with two brothers and three sisters. He began his education at District 36 Country School before entering the Canby schools in the 7th grade. As a 7th grader, he started playing football and continued through the 12th grade. He became a co-captain in football and wrestling in his senior year. After graduating from high school, in 1959, he attended South Dakota State University, where he served in the ROTC and earned a degree in Animal Science, in 1963. He also honorably served in the National Guard. He met the love of his life, Muriel, while attending a young adult fellowship meeting at a church in Brookings. Orval and Muriel married in 1964 in Osakis, Minnesota. They moved to Madison, South Dakota, where he worked for Purina doing sales and service, in both Madison and later in Brookings. In 1966, they settled in Canby. He started working at Tri County Feed and Fertilizer Company Inc., which he bought with his brother Roger in 1970. He and Muriel were blessed with two daughters, Cindy and Tracy. Orval was president of the Sportsman’s Club, where he enjoyed participating in the trap shooting league for many years. He also served as president and a trustee of the Nicolai Lutheran Church. Orval kept busy farming, owning and operating Tri County Feed and Fertilizer company, and raising feeder pigs for many years. He continued farming until the year of his death, attentively checking his crops, making sure the lift pump was working, and testing the moisture of the corn. He also loved pheasant and deer hunting with his brothers, nephews and grandsons. Orval and Muriel enjoyed their time at Ottertail Lake Campground, where he took great pleasure at fishing spots like “old yeller”, trying to catch a fish bigger than anything caught by his brother Duane or his friend Keith. He also loved fishing with his grandsons. He mostly enjoyed spending time with family and watching his grandsons play their various sports. He was an avid sports fan who enthusiastically watched SDSU football and basketball, Gopher football and basketball games, and the Vikings. Orval was a dear friend to many in the community. In his final years, Orval continued to enjoy his daily morning coffee at the co-op catching up with all of his friends on the latest news.
Orval is survived by his wife, Muriel, daughters Cindy (Bill) and Tracy (Tom), and grandsons Kyle (Carly), Justin (Katelyn) and Conner. He is also survived by his brother Duane, and sisters Virginia, Mary Lou and Carol. He is preceded in death by his parents, Art and Luella, and his brother Roger. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the Sanford Hospice team for their compassionate care, kindness, and support during this difficult time.
