Obituary of Olena Oltman

Surviving are six children: Arlene Allen of Hoquiam, Wash., Melda Kautzmann of Danville, Calif., Wayne and Ralph Oltman, both of Anamosa, Iowa, Eva (Michael Hallock) Allen of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Dina (Ken) Vogel of Seattle, Wash.; 13 grandchildren: Laura (Tom) Huff and their children, Katie and Tanner, Michael Allen and his daughter, Allison; Erik Kautzmann; Christine (Ryan) Meyer and their children, Kaylee and Jason; Wendy (Trent) Marner and their children, Wreece, Elijah, Thad and Angel; Amy (Dan) Blomquist; Troy (Jennifer) Oltman; Rob (Nicole) Allen and their children, David and Brodie; Jennifer (Ken) Burger; Kim Oltman and her son Aaron; Bobbie Oltman; Devon and Renee Vogel. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill on Jan. 18, 1986, 6 brothers: Carl, Rudy, Lorenz, Donald, Harold and Bennie Zimmermann, a sister, Edna Gray and a daughter-in-law, Billie Oltman on May 2, 2002. Olena had a close relationship with her Lord. Although she is with him, she will be greatly missed by her family here. She loved to spend time crocheting, quilting and reading. She was a loving mother who enjoyed her family immensely. Her travels carried her to visit family and friends in Washington, California, Germany and Singapore. Olena was born March 26, 1914, in Monticello, Iowa the daughter of Ralph and Catherina (Harms) Zimmerman. She graduated from Monticello High School with the Class of 1932 and went on to St. Luke's Nurses Training, graduated as an R.N. and earned her degree there in 1936. On December 19, 1938 she married William "Bill" Janssen Oltman. After a few years in Cedar Rapids they began farming in Cass Township. In 1970, Bill and Olena moved to Monticello and after 30 years of homemaking she resumed her nursing career at the Anamosa Hospital for 10 years and at the Monticello Senior Home for 8 years. She also served as a volunteer with hospices. An Olena Oltman Memorial Fund has been established and memorials are preferred.