Anthony "Tony" Olhava, Jr.
March 11, 1934 — September 9, 2017
Anthony Leo Olhava, Jr. was born March 11, 1934 at his grandmother’s home in Omaha, Nebraska to Anthony and Helen (Koopman) Olhava. He attended elementary and middle schools in Omaha and Oregon before moving to Persia, Iowa and graduating high school in 1954. Early in life, Tony helped his father on the farm and worked for Union Pacific Railroad before being drafted in 1956. He served in the Army with the Triple AAA Unit, which was a missile tracking division. While stationed in Chicago, Tony met Renate Schach, who was also in the Army, and they were married on May 3, 1958. To this union, four children were born.
After being discharged from the Army, Tony farmed, raised cattle and hogs, and was very active in many farm organizations. He and Renate took many trips to foreign countries to teach independent farming.
Tony enjoyed collecting coins, woodworking, and tinkering with clocks. He loved watching western movies, and TV programs about history. Tony loved reading and discovering everything he could about history and other parts of the world.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Lee Anthony Olhava; granddaughter Elizabeth Olhava; grandson Isaac Anthony Crawford; sister Anna Marie Downey; brothers-in-law Norbert Downey and Phil Riskowski.
Tony passed away on September 9, 2017 at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, attaining the age of 83 years, 5 months, and 28 days. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Renate Olhava of Denison, IA; children Renona (Dennis) Crawford of Grinnell, IA; Douglas (Kimberly) Olhava of Garner, IA; Heidee (Alan) Thompson of Coal Valley, IL; grandchildren Christopher Wehr, Amanda Crawford, Josh (Suzanne) Olhava, Malissa Wehr, Jessica Crawford, Natasha Olhava, Lucas Crawford, Colby Olhava, Rebecca Crawford, and Theresa Crawford; great granddaughters Anna and Evelyn Olhava; sisters Gwen Riskowski of Omaha, NE; Pauline (Robert) Huebner of Council Bluffs, IA; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Tony's honor be made to the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa.
After being discharged from the Army, Tony farmed, raised cattle and hogs, and was very active in many farm organizations. He and Renate took many trips to foreign countries to teach independent farming.
Tony enjoyed collecting coins, woodworking, and tinkering with clocks. He loved watching western movies, and TV programs about history. Tony loved reading and discovering everything he could about history and other parts of the world.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Lee Anthony Olhava; granddaughter Elizabeth Olhava; grandson Isaac Anthony Crawford; sister Anna Marie Downey; brothers-in-law Norbert Downey and Phil Riskowski.
Tony passed away on September 9, 2017 at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, attaining the age of 83 years, 5 months, and 28 days. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Renate Olhava of Denison, IA; children Renona (Dennis) Crawford of Grinnell, IA; Douglas (Kimberly) Olhava of Garner, IA; Heidee (Alan) Thompson of Coal Valley, IL; grandchildren Christopher Wehr, Amanda Crawford, Josh (Suzanne) Olhava, Malissa Wehr, Jessica Crawford, Natasha Olhava, Lucas Crawford, Colby Olhava, Rebecca Crawford, and Theresa Crawford; great granddaughters Anna and Evelyn Olhava; sisters Gwen Riskowski of Omaha, NE; Pauline (Robert) Huebner of Council Bluffs, IA; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Tony's honor be made to the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa.
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