Ollinger, Bernard W.

VINTON - Bernard W. Ollinger, 86, died Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at the Vinton Lutheran Home from complications of heart disease. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vinton with the Rev. Ardel Barta as celebrant. Visitation at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, with the rosary at 6 p.m. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Vinton. Honoring Bernard's request, the casket will be closed to the public.

Bernard Walter Ollinger was born Jan. 30, 1924, in Harper, Iowa, to John and Kathryn Pitsch Ollinger. He attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic School and then devoted his life to farming and raising his family. He married Evelyn (Sally) Eichler on Sept. 6, 1954, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Marengo, Iowa. They made their life on a farm south of Ladora, Iowa, before relocating in 1962 to a grain and livestock farm southeast of Vinton. Bernard “officially” retired from farming when he moved to town in 2000.

During his farming career he also sold seed corn, was a Canton Township chairman, was an active member in the Benton County Farm Bureau and St. Mary's Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada and Palo Lake and sharing fishing and other stories over coffee, playing cards, summers with grandkids on the farm and attending Hawkeye men's basketball games.

He was known for his stern but pleasant disposition.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally, of Vinton; two children, Craig (Deb) Ollinger, Winter Haven, Fla., and Amy Ollinger, Iowa City; daughter-in-law, Lynda Ollinger, Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Keith Ollinger, Cedar Rapids; and one sister, Betty Rash, Des Moines.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark, in 2009; and two brothers.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Bernard and his family. Condolences may be left at