Ollivene M. Larsen

Ollivene M. Larsen, the daughter of Dewight L. and Bessie Miller Wickham, was born February 18, 1919, at her familys home in Audubon, Iowa and died December 29, 2010, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon at the age of 91 years, 10 months, and 11 days.
Ollivene was baptized and confirmed at the First Methodist Church in Audubon. She attended the Audubon Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1937. She enjoyed going to High School and was involved in home economics, science, math, and music events. She was a beautiful violinist and was very proud when she was chosen to go to Des Moines, Iowa to play in the Symphony Orchestra. Ollivene attended St. Anthonys School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa and became a registered nurse. Later she received her certification in Hospital Administration from Columbia University in New York City, NY. After graduation she held many nursing positions across our great country. Ollivene was the Administrator of Davidson Hospital in Lake City, Iowa.
On June 5, 1941 she was united in marriage to Christian S. Larsen at the First Methodist Church in Audubon. They lived in Audubon until Christian enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 16, 1942, and served with the 3160th Signal Service Battalion. Ollivene followed Chris during his tour in the U.S. Army, one stop was in Des Moines, Iowa and she was the Obstetrical Supervisor at Iowa Methodist Hospital. She later moved to Sacramento, California and was the Obstetrical Supervisor at Sutter Hospital. Ollivene followed Chris to Red Banks, New Jersey and was employed as an industrial nurse for Bendrix Aircraft during World War II. She then headed home when Chris was shipped overseas and taught surgical nursing at St. Anthonys Hospital in in Carroll, Iowa for several years. Ollivene then went with her sister Thelma Searls and Thelmas son Roger to Stanford, Connecticut where she was a surgical supervisor for St. Joseph Hospital. Chris and Ollivene farmed for 11 years in Douglas Township, Audubon County after World War II. They became proud parents of two daughters Mary and Barbara. Ollivene taught home nursing classes to many Audubon mothers and was employed by the Red Cross. In 1957 she was the first administrator of the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. She then became a nurse for the Audubon Community Schools serving for over 30 years before retiring. Ollivene never really retired from nursing, she felt a dedication to her nursing standards long after her retirement.
Ollivene was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. She was a member of the Esther Circle and received the Mission Award. She served on the State Board for the Iowa Bureau of Professional Women. She was a member of the Nishna Valley China Painters and served as President in 1985-1986. She was a certified International Porcelain artist and had a home studio where she enjoyed teaching and painting with her friends.
Ollivene was preceded in death by her husband Christian S. Larsen on June 6, 2004; her parents; and her sister Thelma and husband Fred Searls.
She is survived by her daughters Mary and husband Jerry Skahill of Ames, Iowa and Barbara and husband Thomas L. Vaughan of Winter Springs, Florida; she was blessed with four grandchildren Shawn and husband Mark Osterloo of Denver, Colorado, Nikol and husband Bryce Carlson of Iowa City, Iowa, Thomas Vaughan of Winter Springs, and Christa L. Vaughan of Palm Beach, Florida; she is also survived by many beautiful great grandchildren, Megan Osterloo and Mayson Ostreloo both of Denver, Drew Carlson and Molly Carlson both of Iowa City, Laura Maddison Vaughan, Christian Landis Vaughan and Cole Thomas Vaughan all of Winter Springs, and Chance Christian Baisden of Palm Beach; her step grandchildren A.J. Skahill of Charleston, West Virginia and Sara Skahill of Sanaa, Yemen; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be held in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends on Sunday, January 2, 2011, from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 3, 2011, at 2:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon.