Wilma June (Reth) Olsem

Wilma June (Reth) Olsem, 92, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at her home in Manchester. She was born on November 3, 1933, in Dyersville, the daughter of Emmert and Dorothy (Lappe) Reth. She graduated from Lamont High School in 1951.

On April 14, 1953, she married Elmer Olsem at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Masonville. Three children were born to this union. They were married 65 years and farmed side by side for 60 years in rural Colesburg before moving to Manchester in 2012. She took great pride in her lawn and was still mowing her lawn until the age of 92. She enjoyed spending time with her family, friends and neighbors. 

Survivors include her children Jerry Olsem of Greeley, Jim (Liz) Olsem of Lisbon, and Linda (Ken) Nixon of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren Dustin Olsem, Chris Olsem, Ryan Olsem, Rachael Olsem, and Greg Olsem; eight great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Louis Koch of Lamont; and many nieces and nephews.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents Emmert and Dorothy Reth; her husband Elmer in 2018; sisters Lois (Tom) Hullermann, Jeanette (Lauren) German, and JoAnn Koch; and her daughter-in-law Mac Olsem.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. 
 

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