AGNES A. OLDENBERG

Agnes A. Oldenberg, 88, died Oct. 13, 2013, at Three Oaks Nursing Home, Marshfield, with her family at her side. She was born Nov. 11, 1924, in Dover Township, Racine County, to the late Marion Rose (Stockwell) and George William Hardie. She grew up on the Hardie farm in Dover.

She attended Grant School on Highway 20 in Dover Township. She graduated in 1942 from the Racine County School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy in Rochester. Her years as an ‘Aggie’ were a cherished time in her life. She always spoke fondly of the classmates and faculty at the Ag School and was extremely proud to be a graduate. In the fall of 1942 she enrolled in a six-month course at the Prospect Hall Secretarial School in Milwaukee. Upon graduation, she worked as a secretary at the Government Farm Office (known as the AAA) located in the Ag School building until January 1953.

On Sept. 9, 1950, she married Donald ‘Don’ F. Oldenberg at Rochester Congregational Church. They moved to Burlington in 1958 when he took ownership of the Standard Oil bulk plant business. She did all the secretarial work for the business. She also served as the organist for the Rochester Congregational Church for many years. She was very involved as a clothing leader in the Burlington 4-H Club and on county 4-H committees. In 1991, Don and Agnes joined Plymouth Congregational UCC in Burlington. She was active in various groups in the church. The third Tuesday of every month found Agnes surrounded by dear friends playing bridge. Bridge Club night was sacred for Agnes – the ‘girls’ laughter was always heard above the bidding and strategizing. She had a generous heart and a ready smile. Her extended family was very dear to her and she thoroughly enjoyed all the family events she attended.

Summer brought numerous family picnics and holidays were always celebrated with a large family.

Survivors include her daughter, Laura (Tom) Drendel; grandsons, Anthony and Nathan; sisters-in-law, Lucille Hardie, Marion Oldenberg and Dorothy Oldenberg; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

She was further preceded in death by her husband in 2009; granddaughter, Megan Rose Drendel; brother, George S. Hardie; brothers-in-law, Harold, Ralph and Raymond Oldenberg and Clifford Knutson; sisters-in-law, Doris Knutson and Lorraine Oldenberg.

Visitation is Thursday, Oct. 17, from 4:30-7 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 18, from 9:30-10:15 a.m., with services at 10:30 a.m., at Plymouth Congregational Church, 124 W. Washington St., Burlington. Burial will follow in Rochester Cemetery. Mealy Funeral Home, Inc., Waterford, is serving the family.

In lieu of floral expressions of sympathy, her family suggests memorials to Plymouth Congregational Church or Love Inc.