Lolita Joyce Johnson Engelhardt, 94 of Postville, Iowa passed away Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon, Iowa. Lolita was born September 29, 1930 to Melvin and Vera (Meyer) Buddenberg in Postville, Iowa and grew up on the family farm near Castalia, Iowa. She attended school at Bloomfield #1 in Winneshiek County, one year of high school in Castalia and graduated from Postville High School with the Class of 1947.
After graduating, Lolita taught three years in a one-room rural school. Lolita was united in marriage with Earl Eugene Johnson on May 26, 1949 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They farmed near Castalia and Postville from 1951 until Earls passing. Lolita then attended NICC, obtaining her Associate Degree for Nursing in 1974. Lolita worked as a Registered Nurse at the Postville Community Hospital until 1990 and then Ossian Senior Hospice until her retirement. On August 5, 1977, Lolita was united in marriage with Oran Allan Engelhardt at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa.
Surviving Lolita are her children, Alan (Kathy) Johnson of Postville, Iowa, Lianne Ryan of Georgetown, Texas, Gerald (Laurie) Johnson of Lyons, Wisconsin and Robyn (David ) Gerleman of Plainfield, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Traci Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren, Michele (Cory) Huinker Waukon, Iowa, Amanda (Jesse) Peterson of Waukon, Iowa, Nicholas Ryan of Papillion, Nebraska, Wendy (Matt) Kettler of Austin, Texas, Katherine (Brad Hartz) Ryan of Houston, Texas, Matthew (Tina) Johnson of Burlington, Wisconsin, Ryan (Jamie) Johnson of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Travis Johnson of North Liberty, Iowa and Abbey Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Brady Peterson, Claire and Corinne Ryan, Cody and Megan Huinker, Ethan and Elise Kettler and Grace Johnson; one sister, Beverly Cowles of Ossian, Iowa and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lolita was preceded in death by her husband Earl in 1972; husband, Oran in 1990; her parents, Melvin and Vera Buddenberg; son, Jim on May 13, 2006; son-in-law, Ken; brother, Bill Buddenberg in 2011; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Evelyn Cox, Charles Cox, Vernis and Irene Engelhardt, Madeline Buddenberg and Bob Cowles; and nieces and nephews, Brett Buddenberg, John Cox and Julie Schulte.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am with a visitation from 9 to 11 on Friday, November 29, 2024 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant.
Inurnment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Castalia, Iowa following the luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Croix Hospice, EWALU, and Postville Fire Department.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Postville, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.