Ostebee, Avonelle Marie Hodnefield (1922-2017)

OSTEBEE, HODNEFIELD, TOW, DANIELSON, LINDSETH, SMITH, STEHLEY, LEE, HENDERSON, HEGLAND

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa, January 25, 2017

Avonelle Ostebee, age 94, of Ellsworth, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Hubbard Care Center. Funeral service for Avonelle Ostebee will be Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. Burial will follow in the Homewood Cemetery.

Avonelle Marie (Hodnefield) Ostebee was born August 9th, 1922, to John A. and Christopha (Tow) Hodnefield. Avonelle and her siblings, Marguerite, Irvin and Francis, grew up on the family farm near Ellsworth, Iowa.

She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, Radcliffe, Iowa. Avonelle attended country grade school at Lincoln Center No. 8 and was a 1940 graduate of Ellsworth High School. She studied Business Training at Waldorf College and was a member of the Waldorf Choir. Following her graduation from Waldorf, Avonelle worked in Mason City, Iowa and at the Randall, Iowa bank for a short time before moving home to help her parents.

Avonelle was united in marriage to Merlyn C. Ostebee on November 19, 1948. They raised four children, Arnold, Janet, Joyce and Myron Alan on their farm near Ellsworth. Through the years Merlyn and Avonelle farmed and produced hogs, cattle and turkeys with Merlyn's parents, Sam and Thea (Danielson) Ostebee, his brother, Orval and Orval's wife Betty. Merlyn and Avonelle retired from farming in 1983 and moved to Story City, Iowa. In January 2013, Avonelle
became a resident of the Hubbard Care Center.

Merlyn and Avonelle's life together was centered around Faith, Family and Farming. They enjoyed concerts, driving through the countryside, and attending the various activities of their family. Avonelle and Merlyn were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Ellsworth community.

Avonelle is survived by her family: Janet and Tony Lindseth, Joyce Ostebee, Al and Cyndi Ostebee and Kay Smith; her grandchildren: Kristin, Paul, Mike, Steve, Matthew and his wife Rachel, Jonathan, Andrew and his wife Megan and Sarah Johannah; and great grandson Malcolm. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Merlyn Hegland, Gloria Stehley, Glen Hodnefield, Cynthia Lee, Kathryn Henderson and their families.

Avonelle was preceded in death by her husband, Merlyn in 1998; son, Arnie in 2015; grandson, Doug in 2007; her parents; her siblings and their spouses, Marguerite and John Hegland, Irvin and Ruth Hodnefield, Francis and Alma Hodnefield; and a nephew, Ragene Hodnefield.

Boeke Funeral Home of Radcliffe is taking care of Avonelle and her family. For more information and online condolences go to: www.boekefuneralhomes.com