Ralph OSHEL and Helen SICKELS, both of Lenox, were married June 3, 1937. They lived with his parents east of Lenox. On March 29, 1938, their first daughter, Mary Ann, was born. In March of 1939, they moved to a home of their own, north of Diagonal, on the county line, on what is known as the A.J. PARKER farm. Their second daughter, Sherri Rae, was born September 29, 1939. In March of 1941, they moved to a farm north of Benton that they had purchased. Their only son, Larry Dale, was born here on July 15, 1941. This was home to the family, and here the children all started to school in Benton.

On March 1, 1950, the family moved to a farm, one and one-half miles further north, known as the NOVAK farm. The girls continued their education in Benton and Larry went to country school, one mile west. Margaret SOBOTKA was his teacher. After the reorganization of schools, the girls went to Diagonal to high school and Larry enrolled there after graduating from the eighth grade.

In November [10], 1957, Mary Ann married Darrell MERCER. They had three children: Robert, Patricia, and Diane. Darrell was in the Air Force, so they lived [at] many places. After his discharge, they worked out for different people.

In August [17], 1966, Mary Ann was killed in a tractor [Mary Ann was interred at Diagonal Cemetery.] In June, 1958, Sherri married Larry ARMSTRONG and they lived on a farm, north of Diagonal onthe county line, for thirteen years, after which time they moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. They have two children, David and Evone.

Larry Dale joined the Army after graduating. He spent twenty years in the service as a cook. During this time, he spent several years in Germany and one year in Vietnam. During one term in Germany, he was married to Christa K. ORTWEIN of Mannhein on January 25, 1963. They have two children, Tony and Susie. After his retirement, they returned to Iowa and he bought the farm from his parents.

The OSHELS spent their years, raising and educating their family on both farms. After they moved the second time, Ralph also worked as a butcher at the meat processing plant in Mount Ayr. He died on December 21, 1980. Helen is now residing in Diagonal.

NOTE: Ralph E. OSHEL was born in 1914. Helen J. (SICKELS) OSHEL, the daughter of William "Bill" and Gladys (WOOSLEY) SICKELS, was born near Kent, Iowa on April 6, 1919, and died on December 12, 2011. Ralph and Helen were interred at Diagonal Cemetery.

SOURCE: 1887 - Benton, Iowa Centennial - 1987. p. 199. Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library, Mount Ayr IA

Transcriptions and notes by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012

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