Olson, Eva M. (1926-2016)
OLSON, KEEL, NONNWEILER, AMELSBERG, STEIFF, DAHLIN, ERICKSON, HANSEN, DAVIDS, BROWN, SCHULTE, PETERSON, THORSON, GUDDALL, JAYASEKERA
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/25/2016 at 18:58:45
Eva M. Olson
February 9, 1926 - January 8, 2016Eva Keel Amelsberg Olson, age 89, died peacefully in her sleep on January 8, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Center and is now rejoicing in heaven in the presence of her Lord and Savior. She lived in her home at Central Plaza in Forest City until a week before to her death.
Eva was born in rural Hancock County on February 9, 1926, to Clarence and Winnifred (Nonnweiler) Keel. She grew up with her brother Bob Keel on a farm west of Forest City that was homesteaded by her great-grandparents and is still in operation today as a Century Farm. She attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Forest City High School in 1943. Then, she worked at the telephone office in Forest City.
On September 3, 1947, she married John Amelsberg. They, then, moved to John’s family farm near Thompson, Iowa, before moving to their own farm in Forest City in 1954. John and Eva’s twins, Jim and Julie, were born and raised on this farm, and Eva continued to work with John on the farm until John’s death in October of 1977. She, always, said that she lived “her dream career” as a mother and farm wife. A dedicated 4-H club supporter, leader, and local fair judge, she won several local and state awards for her involvement with the 4-H program. She loved working in her large garden and raising chickens. Moreover, as an accomplished seamstress, she outfitted family and friends in clothes that she designed and created.
On February 17, 1979, Eva married Donald J. Olson. They lived in Forest City and Florida until Donald’s death in March, 2007. Eva, always, felt blessed by the Lord to have an additional family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Moreover, she, shamelessly, bragged about her grandchildren and yet “another great-grandchild” in her two families. In addition, she made personally-designed birthday and special occasion cards on her computer for each and every one of them right up until the week before she died.
A personable conversationalist, Eva enjoyed socializing with friends and family. Even though she had become homebound, a steady stream of visitors of all ages came to see her. Involved in many social activities and community volunteer groups throughout her life, she had a special sense of dedication to her faith family at the First Baptist Church in Forest City where she and John served in many capacities including as beloved youth group leaders. In addition, she supported causes and justice ministries, especially those for women and children through World Vision and Hope4Kids International.
Her God-given tenacity, courage, and optimism allowed her to live well beyond medical expectations and predictions. Grateful for her special friends and helpers at Hospice, she loved to laugh and have fun. Undoubtedly, her family will fondly remember her as a fierce competitor at cards and family games and for her engaging, lively discussions and story-telling at family gatherings. She kept in touch with family and friends through social media. While homebound, she spent many hours on her computer and i-pad, staying informed about current events and world news, listening to Pastor Eric’s podcast sermons, and keeping up on First Baptist news and on the lives of her family and friends. Eva loved Jesus and was ready for ‘her new adventure’ of seeing Him face to face.
Those who will greatly miss her and cherish her memory include her families as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends: her children, Julie (Alan) Steiff, of Brainerd, Minnesota, and Jim (Lorraine) Amelsberg, of Forest City, Iowa; her grandchildren: David (Val) Amelsberg, Gina (Rob) Dahlin, Lana (Andy) Erickson, and Jessica (Chris) Hansen; her great-grandchildren: Ava, Ethan, and Lydia Amelsberg; Aria and Drew Dahlin; Abigail, Alex, and Hannah Erickson; and Amelie and Isaiah Hansen; her step-children: Anita (Jim) Davids, of Urbandale, Iowa, Jennifer (Steve) Brown, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Kevin (Robin) Olson, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Tim (Sally) Olson, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Wendy Schulte, of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; her step-grandchildren: Emery (Rhi) Brown, Corey (Patty) Davids, Erin (Derek) Guddall, Angela (Chad) Jayasekera, Amy Olson, Tatiana Olson, Rachel (Charlie) Peterson, Charstie (Rick) Thorson; and her step-great-grandchildren: Dorian, Emmett, and Escher Brown; Lucas and Trevor Davids; Alex and Samuel Guddall; Brecken and Cullen Jayasekera; and Elise and Kaylee Thorson.
Funeral and Celebration of Eva’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at the First Baptist Church, 18508 E Hwy 9, Forest City, with Pastor Eric Weaver officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at the Cataldo Schott Funeral Chapel, 505 North Clark St., Forest City. Interment will follow in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa, the First Baptist Church and Hope 4 Kids, http://www.hope4kidsinternational.org .
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