Iva Leppen's Obituary
IVA M. LEPPEN
IOLA, WI (FORMERLY OF AMHERST) Age 84 – passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at the Iola Living Assistance in Iola, WI. She was born on May 13, 1922 in the Twp. of Amherst, Portage County, WI, a daughter of the late Otis and Myrtle (Williamson) Olson. She married Ernest L. Leppen on June 6, 1975 in Amherst Jct., WI. He preceded her in death on March 25, 1990. Iva is survived by a brother: Phillip (Georgia) Olson of Sun Prairie, WI, two step-children: Charles Leppen and Alice Leppen, both of Amherst Jct., WI, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband: Ernest, her parents, two infant sisters, and two brothers, and two nephews. Iva had attended grade school and high school in Amherst. Following her graduation she went to Chicago and worked as a domestic worker. In 1941 and through WW II she worked in various war plants. She started her work in Chicago, then went to Michigan where she worked in the Ford Bomber Plant, and then to California, where she was a “Rosie the Riveter” at the Consolidated and Douglas Aircraft Companies. She returned home in 1945 due to her mother’s health. In the next year she moved to Milwaukee and worked in a paper factory. She then went to work as a cook at the Hillcrest Hotel in Wauwatosa, WI for 13 years. She returned to the Lake Emily area in 1962 and worked at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, WI for five years. She then leased the Riverview Drive Inn in Amherst for about five years. In 1972 she and Estelle Damrau built the former Meadow Inn in Amherst. She managed the restaurant until 1976. While married to Ernest Leppen they enjoyed traveling, and had ventured to Norway, Alaska, and all around the United States. Iva had been a member of the Amherst Jct. Women’s Club. She was a charter member of the Iola Chapter of the Sons of Norway. She was an active member of the Nelsonville Lutheran Church, having served as past President of the Church Council and the Women’s ELCA group. She had also been a member of the Naomi Circle. Iva also enjoyed doing volunteer work, cooking, and keeping in touch with friends. A funeral service will be held at the Nelsonville Lutheran Church in Nelsonville, WI on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 11:00 AM, with the Reverend Gretchen Anderson, officiating. Interment will be in the Nelsonville Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call at the Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst, WI on Friday, February 2, 2007 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, and at the church on Saturday morning, one hour prior to the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in the name of Iva M. Leppen. The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.
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