Olga E. Zich, 95, formerly of Fall Creek, passed away surrounding by her loving family on Saturday evening, Nov. 3, 2012, at the Augusta Area Nursing Home.
Olga Ella Zich, daughter of August and Anna (Schulz) Gust, was born June 8, 1917, in Washington Township, rural Fall Creek. She was a life long member of St. James Trinity Lutheran Church in Fall Creek, where she was baptized and confirmed. Following her education she helped on the family farm and had worked at the Eau Claire Ordnance Plant. She was united in marriage to Ewald Zich on Dec. 18, 1943, at the church parsonage. The couple farmed in Washington Township and after her husband passed away in April of 1956, Olga moved with her two small children into the Village of Fall Creek.
Olga was employed as a nurse's aide at the Fall Creek Valley Nursing Home for 17 years, retiring in 1985. In 1995, she moved into the Fall Creek Commons and since Aug. of 2010, she had been a resident of the Augusta Area Nursing Home. Over the years Olga had been an active member of her church, serving as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher and with the W.E.L.C.A. Olga looked forward to family outings, spending time not only with her large family but also the Bohl family, who all called her "Grandma." She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, baking, and the many card games she played over the years with her family and also with her friends at the Commons.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her son, Ken and Gloria Zich of Augusta; son-in-law, Bob Stabenow of Eau Claire; honorary son, David Hanson of Mission TX; sister, Elmyra Tubbs, a resident of the Augusta Area Nursing Home; sisters and brother-in-law, Shirley Gust, Evelyn Mueller both of Fall Creek, Susie Gust of Eau Claire, Marvin and Jane Zich of Ladysmith; nine grandchildren, Jeffrey (Fawn) Rasmussen, Ryan Rasmussen, Carissa (B.J.) Ramseier, Michelle (Adam) Zank, Michael (Jill) Stabenow, Michelle (Robert) Radtke, Lisa Geissler, Duane (Trisha Smasal)Ives, Kevin (Katie) Ives; eight great-grandchildren, Shelby and Tyler Hauge, Kyle and Konner Rasmussen, Stella Zank, Bronz Geissler, Melanie and Bentley Ives.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Marlys Stabenow in April of 2008; granddaughter, Nadine Rasmussen in August of 2007; and seven siblings, Adela Rau, Grace Kinderman, Werna Johnson, Myrtle Haase, Rudolph, Eldor and Irvin Gust.