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Gladys Emma Olthoff

1921 - 2002

Gladys Emma Olthoff, 81, a lifelong resident of the Klemme area died Monday, March 11, 2002 at Mercy Medical Center, North Iowa in Mason City. Funeral services were held Thursday, March 14, 2002 at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery. Music was provided by Diane Stadtlander, organist and Emily Civarelli, soloist. Ushers were Terry Woiwood and Kirk Pearson. Honorary bearers were Debra Askildson, Teresa Wester, Jennifer Olthoff, Deanna Branstad, Kimberly Abele and Emily Civarelli. Casket bearers were Travis Olthoff, Mark Wester, Quint Askildson, Tad Hartwig, Jeremy Abele and Mike Branstad.

Gladys Griffen was born January 22, 1921 on her parent's farm in Hancock County, rural Klemme. She graduated from Klemme area rural schools. On February 18, 1944, Gladys married Fred Olthoff at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ Parsonage in Klemme.

Following their marriage and Mr. Olthoff's tenure in the service, the couple farmed in rural Klemme. In addition to farming with her husband, Gladys was a homemaker. After Fred's death in 1965, Gladys moved into Klemme and was the custodian for the Klemme Grain Co-op for 20 years. She also did domestic cleaning for Klemme area residents. Gladys was active in the Immanuel Reformed Church, teaching Sunday school, Bible School and in the ladies guild. She enjoyed crafting, crocheting quilting and cooking.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, and sister, Mabel Griffen and son-in-law, Donald Sellers.

Survivors include her daughters: Kathryn Sellers and Eileen and her husband, Benjie Netland, Klemme; one son, Verlyn and his wife, Kathy Olthoff, Klemme; a sister, Lida Eenhuis, Klemme; 12 grandchildren: Travis Olthoff, Jennifer Olthoff, Tad Hartwig, Mark Wester, Teresa Wester, Jeremy Abele, Kimberly Abele, Quint Askildson, Debra Askildson Mike Branstad, Deanna Branstad, and Emily Civarelli; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Elsie Berhow, Kanawha, Fannie Ziegler, Mason City and Betty and her husband, Bill Jones, Britt.

source: Belmond Independent, 19 Mar 2002

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Gladys E. Olthoff, a life long resident of Klemme, died on Monday, March 11, 2002, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. She was 81.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 14, at the Immanuel Reformed Church, Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Music was provided by organist, Diane Stadtlander who accompanied soloist, Emily Civarelli. Ushers were Terry Woiwood and Kirk Pearson.

Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery. Casket bearer were Travis Olthoff, Mark Wester, Quint Anderson, Tad Hartwig, Jeremy Abele and Mike Branstad. Honorary bearers were, Debra Askiklson, Teresa Wester, Jennifer Olthoff, Deanna Branstad, Kimberly Abele and Emily Civarelli. The Tenold-Andrews Funeral Home of Klemme was in charge of the arrangements.

Gladys Emma Olthoff, was born on January 22, 1921, on her parents farm in rural Klemme. She attended and graduated from Klemme area rural schools.

On February 18, 1944, she was united in marriage to Fred Olthoff at the Immanuel Reformed Church of Christ Parsonage in Klemme. Following Mr. Olthoff's tenure in the service, the couple farmed in rural Klemme. In addition to farming, Mrs. Olthoff was a life long homemaker. The couple enjoyed playing cards and family picnics.

Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Olthoff moved to Klemme, where she has since resided. She was employed as a custodian for the Klemme Grain Elevator for 20 years and did domestic cleaning for many Klemme area residents over the years.

A devoted mother and grandmother, she was active in the Immanuel Reformed Church, where she taught Sunday School and Bible School. She participated in the ladies guild there in earlier years. She enjoyed crafting, quilting, crocheting and cooking.

Survivors include her daughters, Kathryn Sellers and Eileen Netland and her husband, Benjie of Klemme; a son, Verlyn Olthoff and his wife, Kathy of Klemme; and a sister, Lida Eenhuis of Klemme; 12 grandchildren, Travis Olthoff, Tad Hartwig, Mark Wester, Jeremy Abele, Quint Askildson, Mike Branstad, Debra Askildson, Deanna Branstad, Teresa Wester, Kimberly Abele, Jennifer Olthoff and Emily Civarelli; and eight great- grandchildren.

Also surviving are three sisters-in-law, Elsie Berhow of Kanawha, Fannie Ziegler of Mason City and Betty Jones and her husband, Bill of Britt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred in 1965; and a sister, Mabel Griffen.

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