Ellen J. Oldenburg, 93, of Sparta and formerly of Norwalk went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta.
Ellen was born in the village of Merrillan, Wis., on Jan. 18, 1920, to Rev. Oscar and Selma Hovland. She married Harold W. Oldenburg in the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Norwalk on June 6, 1947. To this union, three children were born.
She received her education for teaching from the Richland County Normal (a member of the first “two-year” class), from Marion Wesleyan College (which today is Indiana Wesleyan University), and from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, graduating with a BE degree in 1959. Ellen loved teaching and children and continued in that profession for 36 years. Ellen’s gentle voice and sweet nature made her one of the favorite teachers among her students.
Ellen’s great joy was to serve God. She loved directing the choir at the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Norwalk and did this for 35 years. Ellen and Harold adored each other. People who knew them knew that they were made for each other. They were truly a match made in heaven.
Ellen is survived by her children, Charles (Joyce) Oldenburg of Flower Mound, Texas, Mary (Rev. Vernon) Perdue of Madisonville, Ky., and Cathryn (Rev. Roger) Miller of Hillsboro; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; along with many other relatives and friends.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Harold on Feb. 10, 2013; her parents; a grandson, Jeffrey Miller; and a sister and brother-in-law, Elvina (Rev. Eldred) Perkins.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Norwalk. Pastor Theresa Amberson will officiate. Burial will follow in Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery in rural Norwalk.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Norwalk is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
