Carolyn Oberhauser, 71, of Oskaloosa, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2022, at her home in Oskaloosa.
Carolyn Kay Oberhauser, daughter of Blaine Lester and Ida Mae (Sommerfelt) Hansen, was born May 15, 1951, in Independence, Iowa. She attended Independence school and graduated in 1969. While in high school, she met a young man from the Catholic High School when the schools allowed class exchanges between the public and private schools. They dated for several years, and on July 27, 1974, Carolyn married Robert Charles Oberhauser at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence. They lived briefly in Creston, where Bob worked for Spurgeon’s Department Store, and then resided in Waverly and Indianola before moving to Oskaloosa in 1980 for Bob’s job with Fareway.
Carolyn stayed home with her girls when they were young but later worked at People’s Drug, Spurgeon’s, and J.C. Penney’s Department Stores. She was a mainstay at Penney’s, and through her years there, she developed many lifelong friends with other store clerks.
Carolyn enjoyed sewing and making many doll clothes for her girls; she also enjoyed reading and recently began to enjoy games on her tablet. She enjoyed reading and was particularly interested in World War II history and fiction because of her father’s service injuries.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society when it was active. She also enjoyed helping with church functions and funeral lunches in the kitchen.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Bob of Oskaloosa; daughters: Kathryn Oberhauser-King of Omaha and Janet (Shane) Vernooy of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren: Lily Vernooy, Madelyne Vernooy, Chloe King, and Gavin King; siblings: Steve (Jean) Hansen of Roland, IA, Pam (John) Calderwood of Aplington, IA and Brian (Janet) Hansen of Cedar Rapids, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by an infant brother, Terry.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa, with Reverend Troy Richmond officiating. Burial will be in Olivet Cemetery SW of Leighton, Iowa. Visitation will begin Monday after 11:00 a.m. in the Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. Monday, and the family will greet visitors until 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter or St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
