Obituaries : Bernard W. Ollinger

Vinton—Bernard W. Ollinger, age 86, died Friday, September 24, 2010, at the Vinton Lutheran Home from complications of heart disease.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton with Rev. Ardel Barta as celebrant. Visitation at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2010 with the Rosary at 6 p.m. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Vinton. Honoring Bernard’s request, the casket will be closed to the public.

Bernard Walter Olllinger was born January 30, 1924 in Harper, Iowa, to John and Kathryn Pitsch Ollinger. He attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic School and then devoted his life to farming and raising his family. He married Evelyn (Sally) Eichler on September 6, 1954 in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Marengo, Iowa. They made their life on a farm south of Ladora, Iowa, before relocating in 1962 to a grain and livestock farm southeast of Vinton. Bernard “officially” retired from farming when he moved to town in 2000.

During his farming career he also sold seed corn, was a Canton Township Chairman, was an active member in the Benton County Farm Bureau and St. Mary’s Knight’s of Columbus. He enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada and Palo Lake and sharing fishing and other stories over coffee, playing cards, summers with grandkids on the farm and attending Hawkeye men’s basketball games. He was known for his stern but pleasant disposition.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally, of Vinton; two children, Craig (Deb) Ollinger, Winter Haven, FL; Amy Ollinger, Iowa City, IA; daughter-in-law, Lynda Ollinger, Cedar Rapids, IA; six grandchildren, Bill (Jess) Ollinger, Mike (Holly) Ollinger, Rachel (Matt) Guerttman, Sarah Ollinger, Matt (Morgan) Ollinger, Stephanie Ollinger; two great grandchildren, Elijah and Benjamin Ollinger; one brother, Keith Ollinger, Cedar Rapids, IA and one sister, Betty Rash, Des Moines, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark, in 2009 and two brothers.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Bernard and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.