Arthur Leslie Okland (1915-2007)

OKLAND, TEIGLAND, NELSON, GOSSEL, ELLWOOD, TISCHAEFER, MILLER, HOVICK, JOHNSON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 2/3/2008 at 11:04:02

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, March 14, 2007.

Arthur Leslie Okland, son of John and Hannah (Teigland) Okland, was born July 6, 1915 in Hamilton County. He was baptized and confirmed in Elim Lutheran Church in Randall and was educated in the Randall Public School. He married Hazel Nelson July 25, 1939 in Chillicothe, Missouri.

Arthur and Hazel farmed in Hamilton County for many, many years. He was the third generation of Oklands to live and own this Century Farm.

Arthur was a longtime member of Elim Lutheran Church in Randall and served on many boards. He was president of the congregation for several years, was head usher, and served on the church council during the building of the new church. He was a member of the Mt. Olive Cemetery Board, Farm Bureau member, and Ellsworth Township Trustee. He was chairrnan of the Randall Bible School board.

Education was very important to Arthur. He was president of the Randall School board and continued on the board at South Hamilton. He was instrumental in helping build the future with the reorganization and building of the new school in Jewell. Arthur and Hazel received the Friends of Education award from the South Hamilton Education Association. They enjoyed attending together many school activities at South Hamilton and Roland-Story. He was an avid fisherman and took many fishing and camping trips with his family and with friends. He loved the outdoors and being with nature.

Arthur was a devout Christian, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Arthur passed away March 7, 2007 at the Israel Family Hospice Center in Ames, Iowa. He was 91 years old.

Arthur is survived by two daughters, Vivian Gossel and husband Gordon of Story City, and Helen Ellwood and husband Thomas of Ellsworth; five grandchildren, Alisha Ellwood of St. Paul, Minnesota, Shana Tischaefer and husband Andy of Sammamish, Washington, Hilary Ellwood of Ankeny, Alan Gossel and wife Brandie of Story City, and Carin Gossel of Los Angeles, California; a great-grandson, Samuel Thomas Tischaefer of Sammamish, Washington; and two sisters, Esther Miller of Story City and Myrtle Miller of Stanhope.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Merle Okland, Arnold Okland, and infant brother Arthur Okland; two sisters, Lois Hovick and Jeanette Johnson; and his loving wife of 66 years, Hazel.

Funeral services were held Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Elim Lutheran Church in Randall with burial following at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Randall. Visitation was one hour prior to the service.