Marvin Orlo Kretlow

Orlo was born in Owatonna, Minnesota in 1931, the son of late Earl and Ella Kretlow.

Orlo was married to Carol Ann Trudgeon on August 2, 1952 in Portland, Oregon; they were married 2 weeks short of 65 years.

He graduated from Owatonna High School in 1950. While he was in high school, he was very involved in sports. He played football, basketball, and tennis. He attended the Bethany Fellowship School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which many years later became Bethany House Publishers. In the fall of 1951 he hitchhiked from Owatonna to Portand, Oregon to attend Pacific Bible College, now known as Warner Pacific College. He met Carol there and they were married in August, 1952. Their two daughters were born while he was still attending college. He graduated in 1955 with a BA. In May of 1956 he moved his little family to Anderson, Indiana to attend Anderson School of Theology, a Church of God school. He graduated in 1959 with a Master of Divinity Degree. He became the pastor of the Slusser’s Chapel Church of God in Blacksburg, Virginia. After 5 years, in 1964, the Church of God Mission Board called them to become missionaries in Japan. They served in Japan 31 years, then went to Russia for 1 year. They retired in 1996, and moved to Vancouver, Washington. Orlo became the pastor to seniors at the First Church of God on 78th Street, and served until 2007. Since that time he has enjoyed his hobbies and gardening.

After completely retiring he went on many of the Church work camps around the world, such as Tanzania, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Australia. He was very involved in all kinds of sports: golfing, tennis, racquet ball, and down-hill skiing. He really enjoyed teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren tennis, golfing, and skiing. He was already talking about teaching Trinity Joy who is yet to be born. He was ski crazy—this past year he skied 35 times. Another favorite pastime was watching all the pro-football games and basketball games. He always told his kids not to call him about a game and tell him the scores, because he always recorded them and watched them later.

He decided to write his memoirs and published his book “Orlo’s Story” in 2010.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Kretlow; two daughters: Bonita (Kretlow) Ray, husband, Michael Ray; Patricia (Kretlow) Hefner, husband, Randy Hefner. He is lovingly remembered by his 6 grandchildren: Candace (Ray) Kay (husband, Gary), Kevin Ray, Shannon (Ray) Cassidy (husband, Nathan), Sean Hefner, Joshua Hefner (wife, Nicole), Elizabeth (Hefner) Davis (husband, Paul); 14 great-grandchildren: Nevaeh, Elijah, Shannaniah, Mikalah, and Ella Cassidy; Alex, Aaron, Katie, Taelor, and Isabella Kay; Noah, Lily, and Grace Hefner; Trinity Joy Davis. Siblings: the late Claude Kretlow (wife, Bette), Gwen (Kretlow) Tinnerstet, (late husband, Alan), and Elde Kretlow (wife, Judy).

The Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Vancouver Church, 3300 N.E. 78th Street, Vancouver, Washington, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 5th, followed by a reception in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Arrangements under the direction of Vancouver Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, WA.