Sally Ollinger

SALLY OLLINGER

Vinton

Sally Ollinger died Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following a sudden illness.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and for an hour before Mass on Tuesday at the church. Honoring Sally's wishes, the casket will remain closed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton with Father Ardel Barta as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Vinton.

Evelyn Isobelle Eichler, known to everyone as Sally, was born Sept. 22, 1929, in Watkins, Iowa, the daughter of Edward L. and Evelyn Brown Eichler. She attended country school and graduated from Marengo High School. On Sept. 6, 1954, Sally was united in marriage with Bernard Ollinger at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Marengo. They established their farm home near Ladora, Iowa. When Interstate 80 came through their farm in 1962, they relocated to a farm southeast of Vinton. Bernard preceded her in death on Sept. 24, 2010.

Sally was a busy mother and farm wife. When her children were older, she worked as an advertising manager for Collector's Journal and did secretarial work for the Department of Human Services in Vinton.

She was a faithful and devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vinton. She was active in the Benton County Historical Society, Early Arts and Red Hats, and was a 4-H leader. She enjoyed antiques, cooking, baking, china painting and entertaining, but her greatest joy was her family.

Sally is survived by her son, Craig (Deb) Ollinger, Winter Haven, Fla.; daughter, Amy Ollinger (Kent Ambler), North Liberty; daughter-in-law, Lynda Ollinger, Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren, Billy (Jessica) Ollinger, Mike (Holly) Ollinger, Rachael (Matt) Guerttman, Sarah (David) Weber, Matt (Morgan) Ollinger and Stephanie (John) Harry; eight great- grandchildren, Eli, Benjamin, Addison, Will, Max, Zachary, Camden and Jesse; one brother, Ed (Carleeta) Eichler Sr., Cedar Rapids; her aunt, Florence Brown, Cedar Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bernard; son, Mark; and sisters, Lorraine Von Lienen and Mary Barr.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church and Benton County Historical Society.

As an organ donor, Sally continued her generous spirit even after her death.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Sally and her family.

Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.