OLSEN, Christina Louise (1918-2006)

OLSEN, BERGMAN, SCHWARTZ, OLSON, KLUCKHOHN, SCHAEFER, LUIS, GRAVES

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 7/1/2013 at 12:58:50

Christina L. Olsen, 88, most recently a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center, and a long time resident of Klemme, died on Thursday, April 27, 2006, at the Belmond Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 1, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. The Rev. Paddy Druhl officiated. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of the arrangements.

Christina Louise Schwartz, the daughter of Pearl and Celia (Bergman) Schwartz, was born on January 4, 1918, on her parent's farm in Titonka. She attended school in Wesley until moving to Klemme in 1929 with her family.

Christina was united in marriage to Melvin Olson on February 27, 1937. To this union were born two sons, Merlyn and Roger. She later married Arlin Olsen on July 6, 1946, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua. This union was blessed with
two sons, Harland and Randy and a daughter, Corrine (Susie). Following their marriage, they resided in the Clear Lake/Ventura area before moving back to Klemme.

Throughout her entire life Christina was a home maker and devoted wife, life partner, and business partner with her husband, Arlin. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother who loved anything that meant she would be able
to spend times in the company of her family.

In addition to providing a warm and nurturing home for her family, Christina was employed in a variety of different occupations. She worked as a
housekeeper for many area families and had worked in numerous restaurants, including Gerardi's Cafe, Duke's Cafe, the Soft Spot (ice cream shop) and the Slippery Elm Golf Course, all in Klemme. She drove school bus for many years beginning in 1973, and helped Arlin drive truck, and assisted with the shelling and transporting of corn with her husband, all the while raising 5 children. Many will remember her excellent seamstress skills as she had made clothing for area residents, as well as for her family.

Along with her many years of employment and providing for her family, Christina had many interests and pass times. She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, collecting bells, and salt and pepper shakers. She loved to journey about the area in search of garage sales and was always ready for a sip of tea and a good visit with friends and family. Her children and grandchildren will fondly remember the aroma of one of her freshly baked pies or other mouth
watering rewards of her excellent baking and canning abilities.

Christina was always one to remember the birthdays and other special occasions in the lives of her family and friends with a special card or note, with a touch of her love in it's meaning. She was also an avid collector of news
articles, announcements, and other special features in area newspapers sharing details about the lives of those she knew. Animals held a special place in her heart and she was especially fond of cats.

In addition to her many hobbies and interests, Christina had been very active in the United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Miriam Circle for over 50 years and the UMW. She belonged to the Klemme American Legion
Auxiliary Unit #625 for 40 years. She and Arlin had enjoyed attending several reunions of couples married at the Little Brown Church over the years. Arlin preceded Christina in death on August 26, 2005. Christina had been a resident
of the care center since March of 2005.

Christina will be remembered for her warm and welcoming smile and personality, the twinkle in her eyes, her devotion to providing for her family through hard work and love, and for her caring attitude toward others.

Those left to cherish the legacy of her life include her sons, Merlyn and wife, Audrey Olson of Santa Maria, California, Harland and wife, Janet Olsen of Mason City and Randy and wife, Monica Olsen of Garner; her daughter, Corrine (Susie) Olsen of Klemme; daughter-in-law, Linda Olson of Ventura; sister, Caroline Kluckhohn and husband, Kenneth of Klemme; and a sister-in-law, Jean Schwartz of Belmond; nine grandchildren, Doni and husband Bill Schaefer, Denette Olson, DeAnne and husband, Mike Luis, Dan and wife,
Eenja Olson, Greg and wife, Kim Olson, Ryan and wife, Tina Olsen, Shannon and husband, Gary Graves, Jim Olsen and Jenn Olsen; 16 great-grandchildren, Will, Sarah and Evan Schaefer, Lane, Levi, and Aubrey Luis, Jacob, Daniel, and
Nicole Olson, Zachary and Caitlin Olson, Riley and Wyatt Olsen, Alex, Bailey, and Maria Graves.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl and Celia Schwartz; husband, Arlin; son, Roger Olson on March 4, 1997; two brothers, Herbert and Harold Schwartz; and an infant sister.