Bessie Estella Orness

Bessie Estella Orness, 97, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (3500 29th Ave, Marion, IA 52302) at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Bessie was born on October 14, 1927, on her family’s farm in Crawford County, Wisconsin, to Archie and Effie Izero (Heal) Barney. She graduated from La Crosse High School and married Gordon Orness on August 15, 1947, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Michaelle, Carey, and Michael. She retired from Collins-Radio after 20 years of dedicated service. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

She held dear the fishing excursions to Canada with her husband, Gordon, and upheld this tradition with her children following his passing. Her travels included a family trip to Alaska and excursions with friends to China, Russia, and Ireland. She cherished the time spent with her loved ones and was a dedicated supporter of Iowa Hawkeye basketball and football. In her earlier years, she took pleasure in watching NASCAR.

Left to cherish her memory includes her children, Michaelle Burgess, Michael (Barbara) Orness; grandchildren, Angela Burgess-Erkel, Walker (Kasey) Burgess, Chelsea (Jim) McCurdy, Hunter (Alison) Orness; great-grandchildren, Brennan Erkel, Wyatt Erkel, Hailey Erkel, Camden Burgess, Abel Burgess, Koralee Burgess, Charlee McCurdy, Emma McCurdy, Tucker McCurdy, and Adison Orness; sister, Sherry Hartelt.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon; son, Carey; brothers, Gerald and Larry Barney; sisters, Naomi Bolden and Gloria Bruring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in memory of the Carey Orness Award in Sculpture.