Oletha M. Reith

Oletha M. Reith, 85, of Linn, died Tuesday, December 27, at the Linn Community Nursing Home. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 30, at Zion Lutheran Church, Linn. Rev. David Gruoner officiated. Barb Ruhnke and Amanda Vollrath were the organists. The congregation sang "O Come All Ye Faithful", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." Burial was in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Linn. Pallbearers were grandsons, Tim Reith, Craig Haller, Tony Haller, Jason Haller, Jason Vollrath, Tyson Vollrath, Noah Reith and Aaron Reith. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Bruce Rogge, Mike Woerner, Ralph Holsch, Roger Bott, Robert Kolle and Marvin Moorman. Oletha was born on August 14, 1926, at Linn to Martin and Marie (Weidemann) Woerner. She attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated from Linn Rural High School in 1945 and earned a teaching certificate and taught at Diamond Center and Immanuel Lutheran School. On May 2, 1948 she was married to Elmer “Chris” Reith, at Zion Lutheran Church. They were blessed with five children, Wayne, Lois, Lowell, Douglas and Donald. They resided in the Strawberry community until 1973 when they moved to a farm northeast of Linn. Oletha helped on the family dairy farm, raised a garden, grew flowers and crocheted. She enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, a son, Wayne; and three brothers and three sisters. Survivors include her sons, Lowell (Phyllis) Reith, Salina, KS, Douglas (Lynae) Reith, Wichita, KS, and Donald Reith Linn; daughter, Lois (Wesley) Vollrath, Marysville, OH; daughter-in-law, Barbara (Don) Ruhnke, Fairbury, NE; brother, Raymond Woerner, Linn; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Oletha M. Reith, please visit our flower store.