Iola Mae Volquardsen

BATTLE CREEK — Services for Iola Mae Volquardsen, 87, of Battle Creek, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek. The Rev. B.J. Fouts will officiate. Private inurnment services will be at a later date at the parish cemetery in Battle Creek. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the church in Battle Creek. Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk is in charge of the arrangements. She died Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, at the Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. Iola was given life by her creator and was born on Nov. 21, 1929, in Walnut, the child of Truman and Phoebe (Webb) Merritt. On Dec. 10, 1953, she was united into Christ through the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. She publicly confessed that gift of faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and was confirmed at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Norfolk. She then began to receive the precious gift of forgiveness in the Lord’s supper. Iola attended schools in Knox County and Verdigre High School. On Nov. 12, 1946, she married Bernard L. Volquardsen and, to this union, 12 children were born. Iola spent her married life in the Norfolk and Battle Creek area. At the time of her death, she resided at Community Pride Care Center in Battle Creek. Iola was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Battle Creek. She enjoyed her many church activities and was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She enjoyed helping out with bingo and other activities at the nursing home and was an avid reader. Iola loved her children and grandchildren without reservation and was a wonderful mother. Her patience and uplifting personality brought her many friends in the community. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her. Iola is survived by her children, Patricia (Bob) Aughe of Cannon Falls, Minn., Dennis “Pete” (Denise) Volquardsen of Norfolk, Brenda (Kenneth) Smith of Norfolk, Ilene (Mike) Jansen of Pickstown, S.D., Sharon (Paul) Hrabanek of Battle Creek, Diane (Kevin) Stoural of Norfolk, Janet Ernst of Battle Creek, Randall Volquardsen of Columbus and Martin (Carrie) Volquardsen of Lincoln; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; as well as four sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her spouse, Bernard; sons Ben and Charles; one daughter, Lynette; son-in-law Rick Ernst; a great-grandson, Dalton White; her parents; a brother, Truman Jr.; and a sister, Rose Goedeker. Organist for the service will be Kathy Bierman playing congregational hymns “For All The Saints,” “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” and “Rock Of Ages.” Casket bearers will be Elton Volquardsen, Jason Allen, Mike Aughe, Micah Volquardsen, Nehemia Volquardsen, Matthew Volquardsen, Gage Ernst and Parker Volquardsen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the St. John’s Lutheran School Scholarship Fund in Battle Creek or the Battle Creek Library. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Iola Mae Volquardsen

November 21, 1929 - September 11, 2017