Olson, Mariene 'Reene'

Mariene “Reene” Olson, 90, of Marengo, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Rose Haven Nursing Home. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at First Presbyterian Church, Marengo, with the Rev. Gerald Rife officiating. Burial will be in First Lutheran Cemetery, rural Conroy. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo.

She is survived by eight grandchildren, Sheri Olson, Lance Olson, Linette Olson Lacina, Holly Olson Disterhoft (Duane), all of Marengo, Seth Griggs of Grinnell, Josie Olson Cary (Timothy) of Ladora, Meloney Olson of Union Ridge, Md., and Sandy Olson Henry (Steven) of Union Ridge, Md.; 11 great-grandchildren, Adam Olson (Jenni), Colton, Madison and Carter Lacina, Emma Disterhoft, Taylor Halligan (Mitch), Cale Disterhoft (Michelle), Steven, Kaylee and Emma Henry and Isaac J. Cary; and four great-great-grandchildren, Robert A. Olson and Gabriel L. Olson, Max Taylor and Gideon Disterhoft.

Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Mary Weldon Baumgartner of Marengo, Zelda Weldon Clubb of North English, Joe Weldon of Cedar Rapids and Jim Weldon of New York City, N.Y.; and two daughters-in-law, Linda Olson of Coralville and Elsie Krakow (Wayne) of Marengo, who took great care of her in her final years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis E. Olson; two sons, Robert L. Olson and Larry G. Olson; a sister, Viola Weldon; a nephew, Bruce V. Weldon; a niece, Marilyn Weldon Smith; a brother-in-law, Bruce Weldon; and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Olson Brooks.

Mariene Valentine Hite was born Feb. 14, 1922, in Marengo, Iowa, the daughter of Uriah and Emma Blair Hite. She was a member of the Marengo High School class of 1940. Reene married Louis Eugene Olson on Dec. 31, 1938, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Reene was employed as a bookkeeper at the Goodyear store in Marengo until 1960. She then attended Paris Academy of Beauty in Cedar Rapids and received her beautician license in 1961. She owned and operated Mariene's Hair Salon from 1962-1989. Reene managed the Marengo Housing Corporation, and was secretary of the board of directors, retiring in the late 1990s.

She and her husband, Louis, enjoyed square dancing and round dancing for many years. She also belonged to a synchronized swim team in Cedar Rapids and appeared in several performances coached by Beulah Gundling in the early 1960s. Reene was a great believer of exercise before it was fashionable. She did weekly aerobics well in to her 80s, and was a member of TOPS for most of her adult life. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Marengo, and the Presbyterian Women for over 80 years.

Mariene “Reene” was an energetic fun-loving wife, mother, grandmother and great- and great-great-grandmother.

She will be dearly missed by her family, church family and many friends.

Let us be comforted in the knowledge that God has now granted her often-expressed wish to be reunited with her “three boys” in heaven.

Memorials may be contributed to the First Presbyterian Women, Marengo Library or Safe Haven of Iowa County.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.klosterfuneralhome.com.

Published April 26, 2012 in The Gazette