Josephine H Ohlerking

Eagle Grove – Josephine Helen (Busche) Ohlerking was born on September 11, 1930, in Stratford, Wisconsin, the daughter of Fred and Agnes (Swartz) Busche. She graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1949. After graduation Jo moved to Ogden, Utah where her sister Marion lived and worked for the 3M Company.

Josephine was united in marriage with Darwin Ohlerking on September 5, 1952, in Ogden, Utah, to this union five children were born. Josephine was a devoted military wife and mother during Darwin’s 20 year career as a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force. She was the stable force through out all the relocations and deployments. At times she was left to raise 5 children on her own and never complained. After Darwin’s retirement from the service, she and Darwin owned and operated Ohlerking Upholstery in Eagle Grove for 21 years. She also worked for Hagie Manufacturing, Iowa Testing Labs and Sports Graphics.

Josephine was a very active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She lived her faith in everything she did. She also volunteered for many years as an EMT from the beginning of the Eagle Grove Ambulance Service in the early 1970’s and was very proud to serve during Pope John Paul II visit to Des Moines on October 4, 1979.

Josephine was a devoted wife, great mother and awesome grandmother. Her life was her family. Her happiest times were those spent with the ones she loved. She was a talented seamstress, cook and cake/cookie decorator. She had a passion for gardening and loved to go shopping.

Josephine passed peacefully away, surrounded by her family, on Friday morning, September 23, 2022, at the age of 92 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darwin in 2007; son Paul; brothers, Lawrence, Harold, William, Christian, Raymond and James and sisters, Marion Busche, Isabelle Seaman and Dorothy Herman.

Survivors include her children, Darwin Patrick and his wife Cindy Ohlerking of Charles City, Karen and her husband Brad Sargent of Huxley, Laura and her husband Gary Thomas of Eagle Grove, Iowa, and Fred Ohlerking and his husband Tom Lyden of Mariposa, CA; daughter-in-law, Terry Ohlerking of Medford, MN; 7 grandchildren, Ryan Ohlerking (Stephanie Gaillard), Jennifer Tebbe (Nate), Angela Zook (Corey), Paul Sargent (Stacy), Daniel Thomas (Statia), Craig Schlaak (Aliesha) and Jillian Werner (Troy); ten great-grandchildren and beloved cat, Alley.

Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove with Father Jerry Blake officiating. Visitation was Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a Rosary/Vigil service at 4:15 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.