Beverly J. Olesen

Beverly J. Olesen, age 92 of Sioux City, Iowa and formerly of Coleridge, Nebraska died on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Unity Point Health - St. Luke’s in Sioux City, IA.

Funeral services will be on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington, Nebraska with the Rev. Marilyn Hasemann officiating. Burial will be at Lawn Ridge Cemetery in Coleridge. Visitation will be on Friday morning from 10-10:30 a.m. at the Wintz Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Pallbearers will be Bev’s grandchildren – Bryan Olesen, Kelsey Fincher, Stephanie Warren, Michael Olesen, Brady Papenhausen, Neal Heidt, and Toby Heidt.

Beverly Joan was born in Hastings on February 19, 1933 to Findley Ernest and Thelma Fern (Dierdorff) Wray. She lived in Nebraska and California as a girl. After high school graduation, Bev trained as a comptometer operator and worked for rapid transit in the Bay Area of San Francisco.

She met Rollin Olesen at a church social in Oakland while he was in the Navy. They were married on December 26, 1952 in Oakland, CA. Bev and Rollin moved to Minnesota for Rollin’s college and seminary training. Rollin was ordained in 1962 and from 1962 to 1971 they lived in Stover, MO. They were in Denver, CO from 1971 to 1979. Bev and Rollin then moved to Coleridge where he served as pastor for Immanuel Lutheran Church from 1979-1994. They lived in Norfolk from 1994 to 1996 when Rollin retired. She and Rollin moved to Sioux City, Iowa in 2011where they were members of St. Mark Lutheran Church. Rollin died on September 26, 2016 at the age of 84 years. Bev continued to live in Sioux City until her death.

Beverly was a devoted mother and supportive pastor’s wife in Wisconsin, Missouri, Colorado, and Nebraska. She expressed creative talents through decorating, color consulting, watercolor painting, and quilting.

Beverly is survived by her four children Mark (Casey) Olesen, Golden, CO, Julie (Mark) Heidt, Brighton, CO, Kris (Pam) Olesen, Bowling Green, KY, Lynn (Marlin) Papenhausen, Coleridge, NE; grandchildren: Bryan (Katie) Olesen, Kelsey (Tylor) Fincher, Stephanie (Nathan) Warren, Michael (Caterina) Olesen, Brady (Fiancé Tiyah) Papenhausen, Neal (Corbyn) Heidt, Toby (Rachael) Heidt; great grandchildren: Chase & Riley Olesen, Bryant & Ava Fincher, Mabel & Margot Heidt, Eleanor Heidt; step grandchildren: Matthew Tonniges, Lucas (Jaclyn) Tonniges, Elizabeth (Ben) Wittrock; step great grandchildren: Layne & Bowen Tonniges, Brynlee & Aubree Tonniges, and Emersen Wittrock; a sister Linda Overli, Palm Desert, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents Findley and Thelma Wray; husband Rollin G. Olesen; a brother Findley Allen Wray; brother-in-law Ron Overli.

In lieu of flowers, the family will direct your memorials to a charity to be determined yet by the Olesen family.