Loren Okerblad

Loren Okerblad, 86, of Boxholm, died from Alzheimer's disease on March 27th at Bethany Life Communities in Story City.

Loren was born near Grand Junction, Iowa, to Carl and Alvida Okerblad on Sept. 14, 1925. He was raised working on a farm during the depression era. While in high school he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball, though WWII had begun and rationing had curtailed some of the activities. Shortly after graduation from high school, Loren was called to duty in the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific.

Upon returning home, Loren became a carpenter for the State Conservation Commission, followed by working as the caretaker for Spring Lake State Park. In 1953, he was appointed as State Conservation Officer. He married Norma Nadine Rowe, a teacher in the Grand Junction schools, on Dec. 27, 1953.

For the next ten years, Loren served as State Conservation Officer in Wapsipinican Park at Anamosa, Oak Grove Park in Hawarden, and Dolliver Park near Lehigh. He resigned from the State Conservation Commission to accept the position of Executive Director of the Boone County Conservation Board in 1963.

For 25 years Loren worked on the development and maintenance of Don Williams Lake north of Ogden. He also was a volunteer with the Civil Defense and instructor of Red Cross First Aid, receiving the Governor's Volunteer Award from Gov. Branstad in 1988.

Upon retirement, Loren and Nadine moved to Boxholm, where he worked for the city and Westside apartments. They enjoyed attending many area senior dances for many years.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

He is survived by his wife Nadine; sister Doris O'Donnell of Casa Grande, Arizona; daughter Denise (Clifford) Ott, and grandchildren Timothy, Melanie, and Mikayla Hance all of Ottumwa, Iowa.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 on Sunday, April 1st, in the Boxholm United Methodist Church, with funeral services at 2:30. Burial will be at Lost Grove Cemetery, followed by lunch provided at the church. Carson - Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton is in charge of the arrangements.