Gladys Emma (Griffen) OLTHOFF

GRIFFEN, OLTHOFF, SELLERS, NETLAND, EENHUIS, HARTWIG, WESTER, ABELE, ASKILDSON, BRANSTAD, CIVARELLI, BERHOW, ZIEGLER, JONES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/9/2010 at 21:56:51

Belmond Independent, Iowa
March 19, 2002

Gladys Emma Olthoff, 81, a lifelong resident of the Klemme area died Monday, March 11, 2002 at Mercy Medical Center, North Iowa in Mason City. Funeral services were held Thursday, March 14, 2002 at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery. Music was provided by Diane Stadtlander, organist and Emily Civarelli, soloist. Ushers were Terry Woiwood and Kirk Pearson. Honorary bearers were Debra Askildson, Teresa Wester, Jennifer Olthoff, Deanna Branstad, Kimberly Abele and Emily Civarelli. Casket bearers were Travis Olthoff, Mark Wester, Quint Askildson, Tad Hartwig, Jeremy Abele and Mike Branstad.

Gladys Griffen was born January 22, 1921 on her parent's farm in Hancock County, rural Klemme. She graduated from Klemme area rural schools. On February 18, 1944, Gladys married Fred Olthoff at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ Parsonage in Klemme. Following their marriage and Mr. Olthoff's tenure in the service, the couple farmed in rural Klemme. In addition to farming with her husband, Gladys was a homemaker. After Fred's death in 1965, Gladys moved into Klemme and was the custodian for the Klemme Grain Co-op for 20 years. She also did domestic cleaning for Klemme area residents. Gladys was active in the Immanuel Reformed Church, teaching Sunday school, Bible School and in the ladies guild. She enjoyed crafting, crocheting quilting and cooking.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, and sister, Mabel Griffen and son-in-law, Donald Sellers. Survivors include her daughters: Kathryn Sellers and Eileen and her husband, Benjie Netland, Klemme; one son, Verlyn and his wife, Kathy Olthoff, Klemme; a sister, Lida Eenhuis, Klemme; 12 grandchildren: Travis Olthoff, Jennifer Olthoff, Tad Hartwig, Mark Wester, Teresa Wester, Jeremy Abele, Kimberly Abele, Quint Askildson, Debra Askildson Mike Branstad, Deanna Branstad, and Emily Civarelli; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Elsie Berhow, Kanawha, Fannie Ziegler, Mason City and Betty and her husband, Bill Jones, Britt.