Obituary of Leona Olhausen

Leona Mathilda Olhausen, the daughter of Otto and Mathilda (Jacobs) Kruse, was born in Center Township of O’Brien County on a farm between Primghar and Hartley, on January 26, 1906. She grew up south of Hartley with her four sisters and two brothers. She attended country school, and then went on to further her education at Hartley High School. She attended Mankato Commercial College, where she earned her degree in clerical studies. When Leona moved back to Hartley, she first worked for Hamilton Law Office, and then for Security State Bank, where she was the only woman employee. She was united in marriage to Edward Henry Olhausen on September 1, 1929. They lived on a farm east of Hartley for two years, and then made their home on a farm south of Hartley. They were blessed with three sons: Cloy, Dale and Roger. They made it through the depression by growing a large garden, and raising livestock, and worked very hard at canning their own meat and vegetables. During those hard times, the family loved going to the movies on Saturday nights, and hosting neighborhood parties. In 1936, the rural electric company brought electricity to the farm, revolutionizing the farmer’s way of life. Edward and Leona hung up the kerosene lanterns and were able to have running water in the milking barns. They moved to town in 1971. Edward passed away in June of 1987. Leona was a member of the United Church of Christ, the Dorcas Society for over 75 years, the Hospital Auxiliary and the O’Brien County Omega Township Farm Bureau. Her favorite work was doing anything she could for the church. She liked to play cards, go fishing, sew, and bake bread. Her greatest love was her family—her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She wanted to be remembered for loving Hartley and being involved in activities that were good for the town. She passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the age of 103. Left to cherish her memory are her sons: Cloy and his wife, Connie of Hartley, IA, Dale and his wife, Lynn of Loveland, CO, and Roger and his wife, Rosemarie of Jefferson, IA; five grandchildren: Jill (Ken) Carodine, Jeff Olhausen, Judy (Matthew) Weaver, Randy Olhausen, and Robin (Steven) Brand; seven great-grandchildren: Colton and Cassidy Weaver, Trenton Olhausen, and Nolan, Summer, Kaleb and Kameron Brand; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward; a sister, Edna, and three sisters and their husbands: Helma and Elvis Waters, Millie and Adolf Goetsch, and Irma and Ed Frick; two brothers and their wives: Alfred and Lela Kruse, and Marvin and Lucille Kruse. A Celebration of Life Leona M. Olhausen Born ~ January 26, 1906 Died ~ April 25, 2009 Age ~ 103 years 2 months 29 days Funeral Service 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2009 Trinity United Church of Christ Hartley, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Jeffrey Filkins Organist ~ Julie Back Soloist ~ Gary Klett “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” “In the Garden” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “Hymn of Promise” “How Great Thou Art” Recessional ~ “Amazing Grace” Pallbearers Dennis Stoterau Ronald Grohe Jeff Olhausen Randy Olhausen Steve Brand Peter Kruse Honorary Pallbearers Gordon Grohe Harlan Goetsch Donald Hansen Lowell Watters Vertus Frick Ushers Aud De Graaf Wayne Rossman Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa