Sundblad, Oscar Leonard (1909-2012)

SUNDBLAD, ANDERSON, HALVERSON, RICHARDS, MCDEID, LARSON

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/26/2012 at 00:18:38

Oscar Leonard Sundblad
March 25, 1909 - November 25, 2012

Oscar L. Sundblad, age 103, of Spencer, Iowa, and formerly of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, died Sunday, November 25, 2012, at St. Luke's Lutheran Home in Spencer.

Oscar Leonard Sundblad, the son of Gustav Robert and Josephine Teckla Headvig (Anderson) Sundblad, was born on a farm four miles northwest of Larabee, Iowa, in Cherokee County, on March 25, 1909. He lived his youth there and began his education in a one room schoolhouse for the first five grades. Oscar received the remainder of his education at the Larabee Consolidated School until he was old enough to help with the work on the farm, as was customary at that time. In 1933, he moved with his parents to a farm near Sioux Rapids. In time, his younger brothers were able to help with the farm work, so Oscar began a trucking business which he enjoyed very much.

On June 28, 1936, Oscar married Nellie C. Halverson at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. Two daughters were born to this union: Corlyss Joanne and Janice Eileen. A few years later, Oscar and Nellie adopted a five year boy into their family and named him John Oscar.

Following their marriage, they farmed for ten years before moving into Sioux Rapids. Oscar, then, worked for an implement business for a period of time before returning to the trucking business. The Case Implement dealership had asked him to open that business which he later sold. From that time on, Oscar bought and sold hogs along with operating his trucking business. Eventually, the city fathers approached Oscar about running for mayor of Sioux Rapids. He was elected and held that office for ten years along with the mayor’s court for six of those years. In 2007, when Nellie needed more assistance, they moved to Riverview Assisted Living Residence in Spencer.

The Sioux Rapids community will always honor and remember Oscar for organizing the Tall Corn Parade for many years and also for establishing the ambulance service for the community. Following his retirement, Oscar became a very active member of the Sioux Rapids Historical Society. Everyone who knew him will also remember him for enjoying Casey’s coffee and doughnuts twice a day.

A very active member of the First Lutheran Church of Sioux Rapids, Oscar served as the church custodian for twenty-two years after his retirement in 1973. He never quit learning, even after his formal education had ended. He felt he was never too old to learn.

Oscar’s life is honored and celebrated by his family which includes his children: Corlyss Richards, of Columbus, Ohio, Eileen McDeid, and her special friend, Ron Paasch, of Clinton, Iowa, and John and Ellen Sundblad, of Polk City, Iowa; his grandchildren: Kimberly Sundblad, Jay Richards, and his special friend, Barb DeLorme, and Bryce, Gina, Rowan, and Danette McDeid; his great grandchildren: Kelsi, David, Logan, Quinn, Ian, and Sawyer McDeid; a great-great grandson, Ryan Anderson; three sisters-in-law: Barbara Halverson, Helen Anderson, and Irma Halverson; and a brother-in-law, Norman (Jean) Halverson; as well as nieces; nephews; other extended family; and his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nellie, on September 21, 2009; his grandson, Blake Richards; his son-in-law, Harvey Richards; four brothers: Carl (Julia) Sundblad; Walter (June) Sundblad; George (June) Sundblad; and Elmer (Dorothy) Sundblad; and two sisters: Florence (Vernal) Anderson and Esther (Clarence) Larson.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorials may be designated to the Sioux Rapids Historical Society, the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids, or the Okoboji Bible Camp.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. Visitation will take place Wednesday, November 28, 2012, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids where the family will be present the entire time. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Copyright © 2012, Sliefert Funeral Homes

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