Ollie Lillian Kremenak
Ollie Lillian Kremenak
Ely
Ollie Lillian Kremenak, 101, formerly of Clutier, IA passed away July 4, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA with family by her side.
Daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Sokol) Blaha, born June 2, 1923 in rural Chelsea, IA.
At the age of 4 Ollie started at Salt Creek #2 rural school because she didn’t like walking through the cornfields when her mother and father picked corn. That was when corn was picked by hand with a wagon and horses.
She graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1940 with a Normal Training degree. She received her teaching degree in June 1941 when she turned 18. She taught in Carroll #1 rural school near Clutier for 2 years.
On June 15, 1943 Ollie was married to the love of her life Edward Kremenak, together the couple made their home on the Kremenak family farm near Clutier. Ollie and Edward enjoyed spending time together and traveling. They visited all 48 mainland states, Southern Canada, Northern Mexico, Bermuda, St. Lucia, and several countries in Europe.
She enjoyed dancing, playing cards, cooking, baking, gardening and canning many jars of food, which she grew. She helped her husband on the farm. She also enjoyed listening to her husband playing clarinet and saxophone for over 65 years.
She was a stay-at-home mom who loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and especially loved family gatherings. She was instrumental in organizing the Neighborhood Card Club in 1956, as well as a member of the W.F.L.A. Lodge #104 in Clutier.
Upon her husband’s passing, Ollie made her home in Ely with her daughter, Kathleen Brundage since April 2016.
Ollie is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Brundage of Ely; sons, David (Sharon) Kremenak of Solon and Darrell (Gayle) Kremenak of Laurens, SC; grandchildren, Dr. Michelle Brundage (Thomas Krueger), Thomas E. Brundage, Melissa Kremenak (Chris Abernathey) and Ashlyn Christianson; great-grandchildren, Joshua Reyna, Juliana Reyna, Byron Christianson and Tynley Christianson; niece, Connie (Craig) Hall and other nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward in March, 2016; parents; two brothers, Milvoy and Glenn; sister, Mayme (Charles) Dvorak; son-in-law, Thomas Brundage; niece, Loras Dvorak; sister-in-law, Olga (Willard) Hartman; and nephew, William Hartman.
Visitation is Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service from 2-5 p.m. with words of comfort at 5 p.m. Burial will take place at National Cemetery, Vining, IA.
Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com.