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Neola Ann “Mac” Olsem, 66, of Greeley, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. She was born on April 1, 1954, in Springville, the daughter of Milo and Bessie (Cimprich) Machula. Mac was raised in Springville and was a 1972 graduate of Springville High School. She then attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and received a degree as a dental assistant.
On July 24, 1976, Mac was united in marriage to Jerald Olsem at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Colesburg. Three children were born to this union. The family lived in Geneseo, Illinois, for six years and Mac worked as a dental assistant while living there. They then resided in Colesburg for nine years. The family then settled in rural Greeley. Mac worked for the Edgewood-Colesburg School District as a kindergarten teacher’s aide, a bus driver, custodian, and jack of all trades for 20 years until her retirement.
Mac was a very active member of St. Mark Catholic Church, and for many years was instrumental in preparing children for their First Communion classes. She was involved with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and enjoyed holding day camps at her home for many years, teaching children how to sew. Mac had a passion for quilting! Every road trip included a stop at many quilt shops. Mac enjoyed gardening, especially tending to her own flowers. She loved her family and spending time with them.
Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Jerry Olsem of Greeley; three children, Chris Olsem of Ames, Rachael Olsem of Los Angeles, California, and Greg (Abby) Olsem of Carroll; three grandchildren, Lincoln, Kennedy, and Nora, with one on the way; her siblings, David (Marla) Machula of Springville, Steven (Ricky) Machula of Solon, and Carl (Hilda) Machula of Marion; her mother-in-law, Wilma Olsem of Manchester; and many nieces and nephews.
Mac was preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law, Elmer Olsem.
In lieu of flowers, food, and gifts, the family requests that donations be made in Mac’s honor.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, masks are required at the funeral home and church.
The funeral service will be livestreamed via the church website, www.vibrantcatholic.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Neola "Mac" Ann (Machula) Olsem, please visit our floral store.