Norman Olk

Norman Dean Olk, 84, of Sheffield, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Manly Specialty Care in Manly, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at Zion St. John Lutheran Church, in Sheffield, with Pastor G. Kim Wills officiating. Burial took place in the Hillside Cemetery, in Sheffield.

He was born on Sept. 20, 1933, in Hampton, Iowa, to Ike and Dagmar (Kibsgaard) Olk. Norman was the oldest in a family of six children.  His family included one brother and four sisters. Norman was baptized on Oct. 22, 1933, at Immanuel United Church of Christ, in Latimer, Iowa and confirmed on March 22, 1948, at Zion St. John Lutheran Church, in Sheffield. He graduated from Sheffield High School in 1951. Norman was united in marriage to Eleanor Lubkeman on Sept. 26, 1954, at Zion St. John Lutheran Church.

Norman enjoyed preserving the past and looking toward the future.  His greatest love and enjoyment was his family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He enjoyed feeding cattle, showing cattle at the Mason City fair, and restoring old farm machinery.  Norman shared a favorite memory with his father when he was growing up.  He and his father, Ike, travelled by train to take his 4-H calf to the Chicago stockyards. Over the years, Norman served on the church board, Burchinal elevator board, and was on the board of the Cattleman’s Association.  Norman was also a 4-H leader for several years. He enjoyed music.  Norman was a drummer in the school band and was asked to sing at many weddings when he was younger.  In later years, he sang with the choir at their retirement community in Arizona.  Norman loved the big bands, especially Glen Miller and the song, “Stardust.”  He spoke of fun and happy memories of events he attended at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.

Norman and Eleanor spent many winters in Arizona and made many new friends.  In retirement, Norman enjoyed playing golf, shooting pool, and having coffee with friends. Norman and Eleanor began their life together farming just outside of Sheffield.  In the next few years, Norman worked three jobs to support his wife and family of three children.  He farmed, drove school bus, and worked at the I-H Implement.  In 1962, Norman and Eleanor moved to Clear Lake and farmed a total of 50 years.  In 2001, they retired and returned to Sheffield.

Norman is survived by his wife, Eleanor Olk, of Sheffield; son, Michael (Mary) Olk, of Clear Lake; daughters, Darla (Dave) Stack, of Waverly, Iowa and Brenda (Tom) Zickuhr, of Wichita, Ks.; grandchildren, Karen (Thad) Meyer, Stephanie Olk, Stacie Olk, Marissa Olk, Carter Olk, Lisa (Brian) Rupp, Jonathan (Lindsay) Stack, Kathryn (Matt Rogers) Zickuhr and Benjamin Zickuhr; great-grandchildren, Ella, Spencer and Lauren Meyer; Brylee, Ethan and Jackson Rupp; Maya and Kendall Stack. He is also survived by his sister, Donna (David) Joens; sister, Iva (Stan) Griep; brother, Larry (Emma) Olk; and sister, Barbara (Jim) Long; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Delores Meyer.

The Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home, of Hampton, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.