Lena Verbena Adams

Lena Verbena Olmstead Adams, the daughter of Wilbur Asa Olmstead and Flora Mae Werts Olmstead, was born May 7, 1907 in Gillett Grove, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in Gillett Grove, where she received her education. On March 9, 1925, Lena and Merle Adams were married in a quiet ceremony, having ridden the train from Gillett Grove to Arnold's Park. Returning to Gillett Grove, they operated a Standard Oil Station for many years. In the early 1940's, they moved to a farm on the edge of town, where they farmed and raised riding horses. Lena rented rooms to teachers at the Gillett Grove Consolidated School and she also cooked at the school. Later, Lena became head of the housekeeping unit at the Spencer Municipal Hospital in Spencer, IA. In the mid 1960's, Merle and Lena moved back to Gillett Grove. She kept a big garden and was known for her strawberry patch. Very shortly after the death of Merle in 1978, Lena suffered a stroke and was moved to St. Luke's Lutheran Nursing Home, where she was a resident for 30 years. Both Lena and Merle were members of the Gillett Grove Methodist Church. In addition to the death's of her parents and her husband, Lena was preceded in death by her four sisters and members of their families: Lucille Irene Olmstead, Lillian Lavonne Olmstead, Susan Caroline Shaw, her husband, Earl and their daughters, Caroline Greenwood and Louise O'Connor; and by LaVonia Mae Youngblood, her husband, Amos and their son, William. Other deceased family members include: two brothers, Lee Morton Olmstead and Milo Clinton Olmstead, his wife, Beulah and their son, William; a grandson, Terry Adams; a granddaughter, Robin Marie Adams; and a great-grandson at birth (unnamed). Left to cherish her memory are two sons: Dixon "Dick" David Adams and his wife, Bett of Pensacola, Florida; Merle "Tate" Adams and his wife, Lorraine of Spencer, IA and one daughter, Nyra Gay Brown and her husband, Cal of Watertown, South Dakota; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT