Orbell Hall

Orbell Hall, age 104, from Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Barthell Eastern Star in Decorah, Iowa.

Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Rev Randy Kittelson Presiding. Burial to follow at Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at Helms Funeral Home.

Orbell Marion (Grindeland) Hall was born on December 5, 1920, to Mary (Sanden) and Bennie Grindeland in Winneshiek County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church. She attended a rural one-room school south of Highland Church. Her education continued and she graduated from Mabel High School, Class of 1938. After graduation, she worked at various restaurants and the Ness Store. During this time, she met Bill Hall, fell in love, and they married on Orbell’s birthday, December 5, 1941. To this union, one son, Gary, was born. WWII caused a disruption in the family, and while Bill was off to war, Orbell and Gary lived with her mother and later moved back to Decorah and lived on Maple Ave. with her sister, Iona. Upon Bill’s return, they purchased a home on Decorah Ave., which became home for them for 35 years.

Orbell spent several years working at Deco Products and Hardy’s Western Auto. Her passion was sewing for the mission trips to Panama, making over 300 sundresses for little girls and the same number of shorts for the boys. She excelled in playing Bingo and other games of chance.

She is survived by her son, Gary (Norma Larson) Hall of Decorah; grandsons Michael (Marti) Hall of Decorah, and Scott (Mary) Hall of Black Earth, WI; 4 great-grandchildren, 2 step-great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, 2 daughters in infancy, parents Bennie and Mary, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and 1 great-great-granddaughter in infancy.

Orbell will be greatly missed.

Memorial gifts may be given to WinnMed Hospice, 901 Montgomery St., Decorah, IA 52101.