Generous steward from Odebolt dies at 79

By KENNY KEANE, Globe staff reporter
July 31, 2003

ODEBOLT - Norman Olberding, a retired farmer and parishioner of St. Martin Church in Odebolt, died at the age of 79 on July 21 at Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center.

A funeral Mass was held on July 24 at St. Martin's, followed by burial in the parish cemetery.

Olberding's wife, Mildred or "Millie," preceded him in death, but prior to his death, Olberding presented a gift to the Sioux City Diocese that would allow her name and his to live on - The Norm and Millie Olberding Endowed Fund for Catholic Education in the Catholic School Foundation.

"It was evident that he had a great deal of love and admiration for his wife Millie," said Steve Elbert, development director for the diocese. "He admired her so much and loved her so much. It's a great example for all married people to follow. He just really had a great adoration for her and missed her terribly.

"Norm and Millie did not have children, but it was heartening for him to know that his generosity would benefit many Catholic children in the Diocese of Sioux City. I think that meant a great deal to him - that he would help not only children but also families. Norm was just a very generous man, and the beauty of it is that his legacy will continue in the Olberding name through his generosity. His stewardship will benefit many generations to come, and that's really a neat tribute to Norm and Millie."

Leigh Sherman, chair of the Catholic School Foundation, said Olberding wanted to do something that would benefit those who were in need and who could not otherwise benefit from a good education.

"I think Norm probably realized that he and his wife, Mildred, had a very fortunate life," Sherman said. "His wishes were to be able to pass that on - to leave a legacy. He really seemed to want his money and his good fortune to make a difference and felt that he could accomplish that with a gift through the Catholic School Foundation for the diocese."

Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo, who first met Olberding last year, said he was a man of great generosity and deep faith with a wonderful sense of humor.

"In December he came for a luncheon with his friend Mr. Simon, and during the lunch he was just extremely witty - very funny," the bishop said. "He expressed his deep, abiding regard for the church, what the church had done for him and his desire to share whatever resources he had with certain aspects of the diocese. Particularly, he had a great love for our Catholic schools.

"He was a very wonderful gentleman - obviously very much at home in his faith and at home with himself after many years. I would say he was of serene mind with a little puckish sense of humor about everyone and everything, including the bishop. So I genuinely enjoyed him. Therefore, at his death, we certainly pray for his eternal rest and also that God will reward him greatly for his real discipleship."

Survivors include a brother, Vernon Olberding of Spencer, and four sisters, Mardelle Ploeger of Sioux Center, Elaine Kennedy of Storm Lake, Marilyn Thompson of Cape Coral, Fla., and Sharon Truax of Hayward, Calif.