OBITUARY: Bernard & Beverly Oebser, Worth County, Iowa [Northwood Anchor Newspaper online - www.northwoodanchor.com - Dec. 04, 2001] Bev and Bernie Oebser die within two days of each other, services held in Decorah, Iowa Funeral services for Beverly K. Oebser, 67, were Wednesday at Decorah Lutheran Church by Rev. James Glesne with burial in Phelps Cemetery. Beverly Oebser Funeral services for Beverly K. Oebser, 67, were Wednesday at Decorah Lutheran Church by Rev. James Glesne with burial in Phelps Cemetery. She died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001, at home following a long battle with cancer. Beverly was born May 7, 1934 in Albert Lea, MN to Cora (Olson) and Alexander "Bliss" Swensrud. She was baptized July 8, 1934 and later confirmed her faith Sept. 26, 1948, both at First Lutheran Church Northwood by Rev. J. W. Ylvisaker. Bev attended Grove #5 Country School and graduated from Northwood High School in May of 1952. She attended Luther College in Decorah from 1952-56 graduating with a BA in elementary education. Bev taught elementary school in Richfield, MN from 1956-58. On June 27, 1959, Bev and Landis Gross of Decorah were married at First Lutheran Church in Northwood by the Rev. A. Mikkelson. They were the parents of one son, David. Landis Gross was ordained into the Holy Ministry on June 25, 1961, into the then American Lutheran Church (ELCW). Together they served parishes in several Iowa communities. Bev continued to serve in a teaching capacity and taught Sunday School for many years. She worked as a pre-school teacher in Marion and Pocahontas, IA and as an elementary school aide in Sheldon, IA. Until recently, she was a volunteer elementary school aide in the Decorah Schools. Bev was past president of the Decorah Lutheran WELCA, as well as a member of the Priscilla Circle. She enjoyed quilting and participated for several years in sewing quilts for EWALU annual quilt auction. Bev also enjoyed making quilts and many different sewing projects for her family. Rev. Landis Gross died on May 19, 1992. After his loss, Bev moved to Decorah. She enjoyed renewing old friendships and participating in the many events at Luther College. She met Rev. Bernie Oebser during this time. They were married Feb. 24, 1996 at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City. Survivors include her son, David Gross and his wife Janet of Sioux City, IA and granddaughter, Hannah; step-children and grandchildren, Jana and John Klosterboer, Zoe and Eli of Decorah, Beth and Jeff Helstrom, McCall and Andrew, Emma and Vic Thonn, Ethan and Elsa, all of Waconia, MN; two aunts, Olga Thoen of Northwood and Amy Swensrud of Galesburg, IL; several cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother Kenneth Swensrud in infancy; her first husband Landis Gross; one grandson, Christian Gross and her second husband Bernie Oebser on Nov. 21, 2001. Bernie Oebser Funeral services for Bernard "Bernie" Oebser, 65, were Monday at Decorah Lutheran Church, Decorah. Bernie died on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001 at his home from a long courageous battle with cancer. Bernard "Bernie' Oebser was born on Feb. 19, 1936 the son of Walter August and Agnes (Olson) Oebser in Menominee, WI. He was baptized in 1936 and later confirmed his faith in 1949 at Calvary Lutheran Church. Bernie attended Twin Oaks Country School near Downsville, WI and then graduated from Menominee High School in 1952. Bernie attended Luther College from 1952-57 and then entered the Luther Seminary from 1957-61 in St. Paul, MN, and was ordained in 1961 Bernie married Genevieve Moe on Aug. 25, 1957 in the Colfax Lutheran Church in Colfax, WI. After Gen's death in 1994, he married Beverly Gross on Feb. 24, 1996 at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City, IA. Bernie served Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City from 1961-64; Kanawha Lutheran Church in Kanawha, IA from 1964-71; Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton, IA from 1971-94 and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lime Springs, IA from 1994-98. He then retired and served as an Interim Pastor for many churches in the Northeast Iowa area. Bernie loved people and being part of a crowd. He enjoyed collecting jokes, telling stories and asking questions. He especially loved to laugh. One of his many quotes was: 'Birth and death are inevitable, so why not just enjoy the interval'. Bernie's survivors include his wife, Beverly Oebser, Decorah, IA, who passed away on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001; three daughters: Jana Klosterboer and husband John, Decorah, IA; Elizabeth Helstrom and husband Jeff, Waconia, MN, and Emma Thonn and husband Victor, Waconia, MN; one stepson: David Gross and wife Janet, Sioux City, IA; seven grandchildren; one brother, Marlin Oebser and wife Sharon, Downsville, WI; one sister, Janis Johnson and husband Richard, Germantown, WI; many nieces and nephews. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents: Walter and Agnes Oebser and his first wife, Genevieve Oebser. Copyright (c) 2001 by Kermit Kittleson This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. (Note: I am not necessarily related to the subject of the obituary.) **************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. 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