Oebser, Beverly (Swensrud) 1934 - 2001

SWENSRUD, OLSON, GROSS, KLOSTERBOER, HELSTROM, THONN, THOEN

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 9/10/2014 at 09:31:51

Beverly Oebser, 67, of Decorah, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001 at home after a long battle with cancer.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. James Glesne, Rev. Bryan Robertson and Rev. Ole Winter officiating.
Organist was Kathy Murray and soloist Kevin Pirie sang "The Lord's Prayer."
Congregational hymns included "For All the Saints," "Living for Jesus," "Borning Cry" and "Lift High the Cross."
Casketbearers were Lloyd Baumgartner, H.G. Engebretson, Dan Little, George McArthur, Bob Mueller, Ed Pirie, Kevin Pirie and Dwight Seegmiller.
Burial was in Phelps Cemetery, and Fjelstul Funeral Home of Decorah handled arrangements.
Beverly K. Swensrud was born May 7, 1934 at Albert Lea, Minn., to Cora (Olson) Swensrud and Alexander "Bliss" Swensrud.
She attended Grove #5 Country School and graduated from Northwood High School in May 1952.
Beverly Swensrud attended Luther College in Decorah from 1952-1956, graduating with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.
She taught elementary school in Richfield, Minn., from 1956-1958, and married Landis Gross of Decorah June 27, 1959 at First Lutheran Church, Northwood, Iowa.
They were the parents of one son, David.
Landis Gross was ordained into the Holy Ministry June 25, 1961 into the American Lutheran Church (ELCA).
Together, they served parishes in several Iowa communities.
Beverly Gross continued to serve in a teaching capacity, teaching Sunday School for many years. She also worked as a preschool teacher and an elementary school aide in Sheldon, Marion and Pocahontas, Iowa.
Until recently, she was also a volunteer elementary aide in the Decorah Schools.
She was past president of the Decorah Lutheran WELCA and a member of the Priscilla Circle.
She enjoyed quilting and participated for several years in sewing quilts for the EWALU annual quilt auction. She also enjoyed making quilts and different sewing projects for her family.
Rev. Landis Gross passed away May 19, 1992.
After this loss, Beverly Gross moved to Decorah. She enjoyed renewing old friendships and participating in the many events at Luther College.
She met Rev. Bernie Oebser during this time. They were married Feb. 24, 1996 at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City.
Beverly and Bernie Oebser enjoyed over five years together traveling, visiting friends and relatives, doing church work and playing Scrabble.
Beverly Oebser also enjoyed having three new stepdaughters, Jana, Beth and Emma, as well as six more grandchildren.
Survivors include one son, David (Janet) Gross of Sioux City, Iowa; Jana and John Klosterboer of Decorah; Beth and Jeff Helstrom of Waconia, Minn., and Emma and Vic Thonn of Northwood, Iowa; seven grandchildren; two aunts, Olga Thoen of Northwood and Amy Swensrud of Galesburg, Ill., and many cousins and friends.
Beverly K. Oebser was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Kenneth Swensrud in infancy; her first husband, Landis Gross; one grandson, Christian Gross and her second husband, Bernie Oebser.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital Home Health and Hospice, Bremwood Lutheran Children's Home, Decorah Lutheran Church, Luther College or Ewalu Lutheran Bible Camp.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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