Flora Belle Olbertz
April 9, 1936 — January 14, 2019
Flora Belle Yvonne (Skarin) Olbertz was born April 9, 1936, in Kiron, Iowa, the daughter of David and Florence (Bilsten) Skarin. Flora was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical Free Church in Kiron and attended Kiron Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1954. After high school, Flora met Merlin Olbertz and the two moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Flora and Merlin married on April 7, 1956, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Their union was blessed with two children, David and Jill. While living in Omaha, Flora worked at J.C. Penney for a few years, and then as a secretary for an insurance company. In 1974, Flora and Merlin moved to Denison, where Flora spent the final 20 years of her working career in the health and beauty department at Wal-Mart. In 2015, she moved to Manilla Manor in Manilla, Iowa, where she resided until her passing on January 14, 2019.
In the early 70s, Flora was diagnosed with breast cancer and bravely fought and won her battle with the disease. Flora enjoyed recalling the story about the day she was shopping for a swimsuit at Younker’s and was asked by management to become a model for their store. She accepted the offer, and after a few months of local modeling, Flora was asked to model country wide for Younker’s. This offer she turned down, as she wanted to focus her time on her family, showing just how dedicated Flora was to her loved ones. Her whole world was her family, taking care of her children and grandchildren. She was always quick on her toes and had a quick wit, making everyone around her feel comfortable. Flora will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Flora was preceded in death by her parents, David and Florence; her husband, Merlin; son, David; brothers, Robert and Warren Skarin; and sister, Mary Ann Lind. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Jill (James) Waukee, Iowa; grandchildren, Derek Olbertz, Jon Olbertz, Michael Feller, Matthew Flynn, and Jason Flynn; great grandchild, Kolby Feller; brother, Carroll (Rena) Skarin; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
In the early 70s, Flora was diagnosed with breast cancer and bravely fought and won her battle with the disease. Flora enjoyed recalling the story about the day she was shopping for a swimsuit at Younker’s and was asked by management to become a model for their store. She accepted the offer, and after a few months of local modeling, Flora was asked to model country wide for Younker’s. This offer she turned down, as she wanted to focus her time on her family, showing just how dedicated Flora was to her loved ones. Her whole world was her family, taking care of her children and grandchildren. She was always quick on her toes and had a quick wit, making everyone around her feel comfortable. Flora will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Flora was preceded in death by her parents, David and Florence; her husband, Merlin; son, David; brothers, Robert and Warren Skarin; and sister, Mary Ann Lind. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Jill (James) Waukee, Iowa; grandchildren, Derek Olbertz, Jon Olbertz, Michael Feller, Matthew Flynn, and Jason Flynn; great grandchild, Kolby Feller; brother, Carroll (Rena) Skarin; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
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