OLESEN, Marcella Jean (Bandfield) 1927-2016

OLESEN, BANDFIELD, LANTZ

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 3/23/2017 at 17:29:10

Services:
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Locke Funeral Home

Cemetery:
Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery

Memorials:
Allen College of Nursing Scholarship Fund or Cedar Valley Hospice

Biography--

Marcella Jean Olesen, 89, died on October 21, 2016, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

She was born on May 26, 1927, in Waterloo, the daughter of Jesse and Abbie (Lantz) Bandfield. Marcella married her high school sweetheart, Roger Olesen, on September 6, 1947. Roger and Marcella shared a wonderful marriage, lasting over 67 years, until Roger’s death in January 2015. They lived in Waterloo until 2014 when they moved to Bettendorf to be near family.

After graduating from East Waterloo High in 1945, Marcella obtained a teaching degree from Iowa State Teacher’s College (now University of Northern Iowa). After raising a family, she worked for many years as secretary-treasurer for Olesen-Simonsen Realty Company, a family-owned business.

Marcella loved Waterloo and was devoted to the community. She was past president of PEO Chapter KS, where she was active for nearly 60 years. She served on the Waterloo Y.W.C.A. Board of Directors for many years, the Board of the Minnie Crippen Home for Children and then on the Alumni Board of Directors for the University of Northern Iowa. She was a long-time member of the Junior League of Waterloo/Cedar Falls, the Allen Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Waterloo Women’s Golf Association. Marcella and Roger were honored for their philanthropy and other support of numerous community organizations.

Marcella and Roger enjoyed travel, including trips in Roger’s small plane that Marcella learned to co-pilot; picnicking and boating with friends and family at “Land”, their lake property near La Porte City; house-boating on the Mississippi River; and entertaining at their summer home on Abel Island, Guttenberg, which they owned for over 30 years. Marcella was an avid golfer and loved music, dancing and playing bridge. She enjoyed spending time with her many cherished friends, including life-long friends, and newer acquaintances from Nazareth Lutheran Church and Landmark Commons. She never stopped making new friends or helping others. Above all, Marcella loved creating special family occasions and spoiling her four grandchildren. Her positive spirit made every day a happy one for those around her.

Marcella is survived by her two daughters, Anne Olesen of Takoma Park, Md. and Jane (James) Richardson of Bettendorf; a son James P. (Debbie) Olesen of Bettendorf; grandchildren Thomas Richardson, William (Sarah) Richardson, Jesse Swenson and Ariana Swenson; step-grandchildren Chasity (Patrick) Wilkinson and Amy (Adam) Oltmann; and sisters-in-law Marcella and Frieda Bandfield. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Madeline Plyler and Gail Ross; brothers Richard Bandfield, Norman Bandfield, Wayne Bandfield and infant brother Jesse Bandfield.

Source: Locke Funeral Home