Louise Olberding, age 92, of Des Moines, IA, formerly of Auburn, IA, passed away at the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Born Estelle Louise on September 21, 1933, to parents Gus and Estelle (Zemlis) Jacobson in Chicago, IL., but went by “Louise”. She was baptized into the Catholic faith on November 12, 1933, and upheld a strong faith throughout her life. While her mother traveled playing the organ, she and her sister found themselves attending boarding schools at a young age. Eventually, she ended up in Carroll, IA, where she graduated from Carroll High with the class of 1953.
On May 20, 1954, Louise was united in marriage to the love of her life, Eugene P. Olberding, in Sioux City, IA, and settled down on a small acreage north of Auburn, IA. This union was blessed with six children: Susie, Mary, Micki, Gloria, Michael, and Sharon. Louise was a housewife and worked various part-time jobs throughout her life. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, and playing the piano. Louise loved watching old western movies, Lawrence Welk, game shows, and the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs games. Louise was a very social person and would spend many hours playing Pinochle with her friends and neighbors, attending coffee group, the community center, and daily mass. Most of all, Louise cherished her time with her family. When the kids were young, she watched all five daughters play basketball at the Barn in Des Moines. She was a proud mother, loving wife, grandmother, and woman of faith.
“Give it to God and just pray.” Louise’s favorite phrase.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Susie (Richard) Lasher of Altoona, IA, Micki Kohorst of Okoboji, IA, Gloria (David) Jones of Woodstock, GA, and Sharon Menke of Bonaparte, IA; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents, husband Eugene, daughter Mary Hungate, son Michael Olberding, sister Betty Olejack, granddaughter Kassandra Jones, and son-in-law Roger Menke.
A Celebration of Life Visitation will be 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Lampe and Powers Funeral Home in Lake City, Iowa. A Memorial Service will be at 1:00 pm at the Lampe and Powers Funeral Home. Burial will take place in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Auburn, Iowa
