GAST, Beatrice Ruth (Olsen) 1922-1981

GAST, OLSEN, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 1/25/2015 at 09:48:46

Beatrice Ruth Olsen was born March 8, 1922 at Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa to Lawrence Adolph Olsen and Laura Clarissa Williams, the first of their three children.

She was baptized at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church at Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa and confirmed at same on May 31, 1936. She was a lifelong member of the church which was located just north of her parent's farm in Meroa.

Beatrice attended country school at Walnut Grove # 7 in Meroa, across the road from the farm and then later attended Osage High School at Osage, Mitchell, Iowa.

Found in the 1925 - 1940 censuses living at Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa:
1925: Lawarence A Olson 32, Clarice L Olson 26, Bernice Olson 2.

1930: Lawrence A Olsen 37, L Clarice Olsen 31, Beatrice R Olsen 8, Lowell M Olsen 5, Kenneth G Berkvam 18 (hired man).

1940: Lawrence A Olsen 47, Clarice Olsen 41, Beatrice Olsen 18, Lowell Olsen 15, Laverne Olsen 9.

Beatrice married Clyndon Clifford Gast on July 28, 1940 at Rock Creek Lutheran, Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa.

The couple had 5 children - 2 boys, 3 girls. (Their oldest son, Jerry (Gerald) Clyndon Gast was born January 4, 1943, Osage, Mitchell, Iowa and died December 4, 2001 Kansas City, Missouri). The remaining children are still living in 2015.

Beatrice & Clyndon lived on the "Indra" farm northeast of Meroa where over the years they raised chickens, sold eggs, had a dairy cattle operation and farmed. Beatrice operated an upholstery shop at her home for many years. She was an excellent sewer, crafter and learned rosemaling (Norwegian tole painting). She was very personable and loved her family and friends.

Beatrice and Clyndon celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on July 27, 1980 at the home of their son with a family party.

After battling an illness, Beatrice died on November 18, 1981 at Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota and was buried at Rock Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa.

There is a memorial for her at Find a Grave #11050704 with photos.