Ronald “Ron” Olinger, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Jan. 4, 2022, at the age of 66. His two-year battle with ALS showed his courage and faith in living life to its fullest. Despite the pain, Ron came out a hero and stayed strong until the end. The smile for which he was well known, never dimmed.
Growing up, Ron helped on the family farm, and worked alongside his father in the carpentry and home building trades. He went on to start Olinger Construction and Design which he operated for 20 years. In later years, he worked as the construction director for Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity until his retirement in 2018. Ron was a member of Antioch Christian Church in Marion.
Ron met the love of his life, Nancy, in 1995, and they were married in 1998. Between them, children include Jennifer, Matthew, Krysta, Kelsey, honorary daughter Tierra, and puggle companion Izzy. Grandchildren include Miranda, Phoenix, Audrey, Trevor, Blake, Patrick, Wyatt, Kennady and Kingston.
Ron was a sports enthusiast, whether it was coaching his children’s youth leagues or cheering on the Hawkeyes, Cubs and Bears. He and his wife enjoyed travel and camping, especially to Colorado. Their final vacation was a trip of a lifetime to Yellowstone National Park this past July.
A heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hiawatha Care Center and Dr. Mary Anne Nelson for their compassionate care in his final three months.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.
Memorials in Ron’s memory may be directed to the family.
I don’t know about you, but Christmas in 2020 seems like it was a very long time ago – maybe two or three years ago. And for that matter, all of 2020 seems but a distant memory – that is, those parts of it I can remember. Does this sound at all familiar? I refer to it as “Pandemic Time Dilation/Displacement Syndrome” (PTDDS).
During 2021, we kept soldiering on, no matter the circumstances. We sought out our three doses of Moderna as soon as each became available. And flu shots. Life was slowly returning to the familiar, but lately there have been some setbacks. That can feel demoralizing. For us, the only possible antidote is practicing-mustering-realizing thankfulness for all the blessings we have experienced: not just in the past, but every day. So easy to forget…
Is it possible that Omicron will prove to be an important turning point – for the better – in the pandemic? It is too early to know, but there is a hope that higher infection rates, coupled with milder symptoms, might spell a transition of COVID-19 to an endemic disease, with a much more manageable, and less dangerous, future.
Chris: Christina Andersen Floral Design is now 23, with all but the first year at the Monroe Center (a former Levolor Blinds factory) in Hoboken. After essentially coming to a halt in 2020, business has substantially recovered. In June, Chris received a Hoboken Green Business Award from the Mayor at an outdoor ceremony, a part of the Hoboken Green Fair, spotlighting businesses that follow sustainable practices, as a positive example to the rest of the business and general community. This is the sixth year in a row that CAFD has been so honored. In October she decided to throw herself a “boosted birthday bash”. In an effort to stay physically and emotionally fit, she continues yoga and has restarted almost daily walking. A wonderful year-end distraction was the baking of family-tradition Christmas cookies, especially Pepparkakor, to which Martin was introduced as part of the marriage pact.
Martin: Most of his musical activities have remained virtual: private lessons and NJSO youth orchestra coaching via Skype and Zoom, plus symphony home recording projects. The Symphony’s virtual gala in April spotlighted the 30th anniversary of the NJSO youth orchestras: Martin was feted as one of two musicians who have coached in the program from its inception. At long last, the full orchestra resumed live performances in October. The elaborate safety protocols for musicians, staff, and audiences are a pain, but of course necessary. Also this fall, Martin was invited to teach part-time at nearby Stevens Institute of Technology. He remains active as chair of the NJSO musician committee; and was just re-elected to a three-year term on the Executive Board of the music union Local. He will finish his final term on the Vestry of All Saints Episcopal Church next June. In June Martin risked flying, making a (long-overdue) visit to his mom in Palm Springs, remaining there 22 days. There was a lot to do, and he and mom had a fine time together. Her health, at 91, is good; she continues to live independently, with help from her friends and neighbors, particularly Anita Vavere and Emil Oana. On Christmas Eve, Martin played viola at All Saints in a string quartet along with five singers (vaccinated, distanced, masked), live-streamed instead of having live church attendance. The next day, participants received a message that our priest had tested positive for COVID-19. Thankfully no one else involved in the service caught the virus, and our priest has recovered fully, after mild symptoms.
We: For a second year in a row, we did not travel to Wyoming in August for Grand Teton Music Festival/vacation. The festival did resume this year, but we were not confident about our safety. Really missing our friends, the music, and the mountains, we’re hoping to return next season.
In July we enjoyed attending two outdoor-vaccinated-socially-distanced chamber music concerts, performed by NJSO colleagues in the gardens of the Newark Museum. Good music, beautiful weather, a real breath of fresh air.
In September we decided to repeat last year’s vacation destination – Salem County in upstate New York – since it was derivable and because we had such a good time being there last year. Once again, we stayed at Bunker Hill Inn, spending time with our innkeeper and friend Laura Coldwell, with whom Martin played some flute/violin duets. We were able to explore the area in greater depth, and also had several visits with Pat Lamb and Jack Isgro, whom we had met the year before through our Hoboken friend Jane Kober. Jane actually came up to Salem for a few days while we were there. We definitely see ourselves returning to the area often. September saw the 20th anniversary remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy. As eyewitnesses to those events and their aftermath, it brought back vivid memories and strong feelings of those poignant times.
Christmas holiday in-person get-togethers had to be scrapped because of a few positive (mild) cases amongst our friends and family, but we have been kee ping in touch on the computer screen, on the telephone, and via email (like this one). We were able to meet outdoors with friends on New Year’s Eve around Susan Copeland and Brian Mynard’s fire pit; and spent New Year’s Day in Brooklyn with Chris’s sister and brother-in-law Melinda and Peter (rapid testing all around). On January 5th dared a meal at Halifax restaurant (they are one of Chris’ flower accounts; had 20 feet of space to the next table that night) as we reflected on 31 years of marriage, having a great meal as we enjoyed our own private game of “name that classical tune/music trivia” while listening to the piped-in sound system.
Hoping your holiday season has been at least pretty good; and wishing us all a better 2022.
Judy has shared two photos from her very busy and event filled year. Here they are, described by Judy in her own words.
One photo is from Ben’s May graduation (from L-R Sam who is currently a law student, Ben who is currently in a master’s program to become a high school physics teacher, me, and my husband Dave)
Ben Bryant Graduation
The other photo is from Thanksgiving, showing the four Bryants,, plus the boys’ girlfriends and our dog, Ranger.
Javon Akil Rogers Stovall, 27, passed away while attending graduate school at Florida International University in Miami, Florida due to complications with epilepsy.
As a graduate assistant at FIU, he was focused on social justice and inclusion. Javon wanted to better not only himself, but his community, and the world. He quickly connected with faculty and students showing support, kindness, and compassion to everyone he met. He actively encouraged others to find their passion and strived to make others feel accepted, included, and valued no matter what which inspired everyone around him.
Javon was born to Julie Kay Rogers and Joseph Stovall in Iowa City, Iowa where he grew up. Javon attended West High School where he started growing his passion of all things music. After graduating high school in 2012, Javon first pursued his passion in music at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He later left Luther to attend Kirkwood Community College and eventually the University of Iowa, where he earned degrees at both institutions in May of 2020. Javon was then accepted to graduate school at FIU.
While a student at Iowa, Javon was highly involved with many groups and organizations. Javon was president of the Old Gold Acapella group, an Asst Program Coordinator with Leadershape through the Center for UI Student Involvement and Leadership, was a member of the Human Rights Student Collective, participated in student government and several others.
Javon’s love of coffee was a staple of his personality. He will be remembered for exchanges over coffee and wine with either lots of humor, deep discussion, or fun conversation. Javon’s laughter was infectious. He was an extraordinary listener. His big personality matched his big bear hugs which were always warm and sincere. Javon touched many lives with his caring and unique energy, he will always be an inspiration to many.
Javon is survived by his parents, maternal grandmother Francine Rogers, sisters Jordan Rogers and Carrie Evans, brother Tony Wai, aunts, uncles, nephews, many cousins, and many friends.
Alan Huey shared a memory from Janelle (Gibson) Huey’s trove of West Side Story newspapers. This one is athletic, showing classmate Jeff Hartzler leading the pack at a track meet in Anamosa, Iowa.
This photo is from the edition dated 28 April 1972!
It was my turn to go to the grocery store this week, and so I decided to continue a tradition I started years ago with my son and daughter.
Every year, around the beginning of October, I would see these little gourds in the grocery store. When the kids were in grade school, I decided it would be a nice treat to decorate their desks with a hint of fall. They really enjoyed them, and looked forward to them each year.
Today I felt, like Yogi Berra used to say “Déjà vu all over again.” I thought it would be nice to see if Isaiah wanted to continue the tradition. He said yes, so now, this is what his desk at our house looks like.
Ruth (Jurgens) Noth shared this news with us this week:
Mom retired from over 40 years of volunteer service with UIHC yesterday. She has over 35,000 hours logged with UIHC and over 11,000 with Unity Point here in Cedar Rapids. It’s no wonder her wrists and fingers are giving out at 87! She always said that she could just imagine each baby she crocheted a hat for. She used to do preemie hats and booties and sometimes that’s all parents went home with. She’s amazing
Once again, thanks for all you do keeping our class together.
In response to your retirement query, I think the most important thing you can do is keep busy with something, part time work, hobby- etc. I have been retired since 2013 and thought I would keep busy playing golf. I didn’t realize the 110 degree heat in Phoenix wouldn’t be that much fun to play in…hence our move to the 5300 ft elevation in Prescott.
As you know, I did return to coaching runners in 2016 at Embry Riddle University but got tired of the covid B.S. and re-retired in 2020. I helped out as a volunteer this summer and early fall at Embry Riddle again with pre-season training but they hired a full time assistant coach so I stepped down and am back on the links!
I am learning to work on old cars, have a ’55 Ford and a ’28 Model A that I am “practicing on”. Our son is a mechanic so he can fix anything I screw up! Tami (Thompson ’78) and I also spend quite a bit of time at our cabin near the Grand Canyon as well as spoiling our two grandkids.
Life is good! And, after 34 years working in the public sector, the best thing I can say about retirement is that you don’t have to be nice any more to people you can’t stand!!!
Friday I got up and had the wild hair to get my garage cleaned out. Took everything out to the driveway, wisk broomed all the cob webs and spider eggs off of everything. Took the leaf blower and blew out everything on the floor. Took the broom and got the masonry work on the lower foot of the garage where spiders like to hide in the crevices. Got everything I could placed on the wall or the ledge of the masonry. I have holed board all over my garage. My dad and I shortly after we moved here, insulated the garage and put the holed board up, so you can use hooks all over the two walls. The only items on my garage floor now are the lawn care products I’ll use before winter, an air compressor, lawn mower, snow blower, and snow melt and oil dry products containers on wheels. Everything got put up and hopefully will have less spider webs and eggs in them being on the wall. I’ll take a photo before sending this and attach it.
I’m ready to house my son’s 20 year old Camry for the winter. Mom will have enough room to get into and out of the car in the garage now. I had a large tool box that could be padlocked that my sister and her husband dumped on me last time they were here. They have the habit of doing that – cleaning out their extended van and leaving things behind for us to sell, give away or donate and get rid of. A neighbor came down and asked if I was going to keep my last two birch tree logs I had in the garage. I said no, and she gladly took them with her. I asked her if she could use a nice tool box that could be locked – it’s about 18 inches deep, 18 inches high and about 3 feet long – very sturdy plastic of some sort – black. Her new man friend is a handy man and she took it for him. I was so glad I didn’t have to put an ad up on market place and haul it to the local HyVee Drugstore to exchange it for money. LOL
I’m so sore from all the work – about 4 hours and I still have to organize the shelving better – rags and rugs aren’t folded as neatly any more so want to do a little bit with that yet today and then I’m done. I bombed the garage yesterday afternoon with a bug bomb to clear out any critters that didn’t get blown out with the leaf blower. Most of them will be happy to have survived before the bombing. LOL I know spiders are good, but I don’t want that many in my garage making a mess of my tools. LOL
Not much planned for today other than the shelf cleaning. My oldest and his 2 little ones, 2 yrs and 7 mos., came yesterday and ended up staying from 10 until 7. It was a long day. He usually doesn’t stay that long, but I had enough heavy things to enlist his help with, that I let him stay for both lunch and dinner, giving his wife a much needed break.
Mom is working on a 500 piece puzzle I have no interest in, so I’ll enjoy movies today.
Oh – went to a garage estate sale run by the family yesterday. Picked up some great items. I love sales. I thought my days of buying big stuff was over, but I ended up getting a new DVD container. I had recently gone through my old one and pulled out everything I didn’t want anymore or wouldn’t watch – many of Tom’s favorites were in it and we had very different taste. I gave much of his faves to my sons – complete set of TV series of Star Trek, all of Monty Python’s material. More photos below of good finds. The copper set on the wood rack are measuring devices – I’ve never seen anything like it – 1/4 to one cup measuring cups in copper and metal, and copper scoops for teaspoon amounts and a table spoon scoop. I’ll shine them up and put the rack on my kitchen wall. I sure didn’t need it, but I’d never seen anything like it and had to have it. $10 – a good deal I thought. The baby buggy for my granddaughter, I got free from our church! Little Tykes!
