THOEN, Olga C. 1906-2005

THOEN

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 11/17/2005 at 14:59:50

Olga C. Thoen, 98, died Monday, Nov. 7, 2005, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, IA, where she had been a resident for over three years. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood with Reverend Barbara Wills officiating. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 11, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood and one hour prior to the funeral service.

Olga Olson Thoen was born to Olaus and Caroline Kaasa Olson Nov. 26, 1906 in rural Worth County. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith. When Olga was five years old her family moved into Northwood where her mother opened a restaurant on Central Avenue. Her family lived above the restaurant so Olga learned the names of all of the businesses on Northwood's main street which she still remembered. Olga was confirmed on May 29, 1921, by the Reverend Carl Ylvisaker at First Lutheran Church in Northwood where she was a life-long member. She attended Northwood Schools and graduated with a Normal Training Certificate on May 25, 1925. While in High School she was interested in Public Speaking and Declamatory Contests. She attended summer school at the University of Iowa in 1926. Olga taught for several years in rural Worth County schools and still had many friends who were her former pupils. In 1929, she married Glenn Thoen. After living in Swea City for a few months they moved back to Northwood where they were in the motor vehicle repair business until Glenn died May 19, 1989. Olga was a member of First Lutheran Church, Ladies Aide and Anna Circle. She taught first-year confirmation classes for several years. She was the mother of eight children. Her greatest love was for her church and her family. Her home was always open for get-togethers or for a friend to have a meal or to stay a night or a week. When her family was raised, she was asked to do the baking at the new Northwood-Kensett High School where she worked for 18 years. She also cooked at the Drive-Inn for several summers. After retirement, she and her husband continued to live in Northwood where they enjoyed having family, grandchildren and friends in their large house for holidays. In September 1988 they moved to an apartment. Olga enjoyed reading and sewing and was an active member of Iowa Retired Teachers Association, several card clubs and the VFW Auxiliary.

Olga is survived by her daughters: Marge Wescott, Donna Stoltenberg and husband Roger, and Sandra Thoen of Mason City, Ruth Erion of Lexington Park, MD, and Susan Dieterich and husband Keith of St. Ansgar; her sons: Robert Thoen and wife Terri of Burke, VA, David Thoen and wife Helen of Manly, and John Thoen and wife Drenda of Windsor, CO; 26 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; seven nieces and nephews; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn; a grandson, Gregory Wescott; a great-granddaughter, Jennifer Wescott; and a great-grandson, John Nauss.

Source: Northwood Anchor, November 9, 2005