Charles Kolb

Charles Kolb, 86, a resident of Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, passed away there Thursday evening, January 4, 2001.The son of William and Addie Clark Kolb, he was born October 10, 1914, in Clay Township, Shelby County, Iowa. Charles was the youngest of four children. He attended grade school at Clay #3 school and graduated with the class of 1933 from Elk Horn High School. After graduation, Charles worked on the family farm west of Elk Horn until November of 1941, when he enrolled in business school in Des Moines. He didn't get in quite a year of schooling when he was drafted in the army in July of 1942. He served his country in the European Theater during the war. Returning to Shelby County in October of 1945, he went into partnership with his two brothers Lewis and Gordon, farming the home place where he was born. This partnership lasted until 1969. With Gordon in failing health, they discontinued their farming operation in February of that same year. He married Virginia (Anderson) Petersen in January of 1970 and they made their home in Elk Horn. During this time, he worked as a carpenter and did various jobs for the Salem Homes and was an inspector for the Iowa State Highway Commission. Upon retirement, they moved to Atlantic where he remained until 1997, when he moved to the Salem Retirement Home and into the nursing home in December 2000. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he served as a board member. He was a member of Liberty Chapter #230 and Grove Lodge #492 AF & AM of Marne. He was also member of the Amvets in the American Legion.Charles is survived by: a sister Eunice Kolb of Sun Valley, California; two nephews, Larry Kolb and his wife Janice and family of North Hills, California and Warren Kolb of North Platte, Nebraska. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Carol Petersen and husband Allan of Exira, Pastor Arlo Petersen and wife Kathy of Alton, Iowa, and Benita Drake and husband Ron of Menlo. Eight stepgrandchildren: Jennifer Gustafson and husband Tony of Elk Horn, Andy Petersen and wife Deb of Urnbandale, Angie Petersen of Cherokee, Shaunna Halvorson and husband Ryan of Humbolt, Jabrel Petersen of Hospers, Iowa, and Preston Landon, and Maggie Drake of Menlo. There are also six step-grandchildren as well as two brothers-in-law Arnold Andersen of San Antonio, Texas and Robert Andersen of Thurman, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia in 1989, parents, two brothers Gordon in 1980 and Lewis in 1990, and a sister-in-law Elvie Kolb in 1992. ROLAND FUNERAL SERVICE ATLANTA, IOWAFuneral InformationServices for Charles were held Monday, January 8, 2001, at 1:30 PM at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa with Pastor Stephen Gronseth of Atlantic officiating.Interment was in the Monroe Township Cemetery northeast of Walnut, Iowa.