Renate Ida Olhava

Renate Ida Olhava, of Denison, formerly of Harlan and Logan passed on July 13th, 2026 at the age of 88 years. Renate was born on November 13th, 1937. She always declared 13 to be her lucky number and so appropriate it is the day she finds peace and joins other loved ones.

She was born in Columbiana, Ohio to Wilhelm Frederich and Luise (Friedrich) Schach. At the age of 2 ½ she accompanied her parents and older brother Siegfried to Germany, where they would care for her Oma who was in ill health. While in Germany, WWII escalated and her family was unable to return home to the United States because of the citizenship status of her mother and newly born younger sister, Magda. During their time in Germany and Dresden, the family experienced much of the hardships of WWII and various occupations of Berlin. At the end of the war when the American forces liberated Berlin, they experienced the kindness and caring of the United States soldiers and WACs. At that time she knew that when she “grew up” she would join the Army and give back to the country that had helped her and her family.

The family returned to Ohio and Renate graduated from Columbiana High School and fulfilled her vow to give back to her country and joined the Army. She was stationed in Chicago, serving as the Company Clerk of the 5th Army. It was here that she met Tony (Anthony Leo) Olhava Jr. Renate had sworn never to marry a farmer, so Tony’s proposal was not “Will you marry me”, but “Will you marry a farmer.” She said yes. After she and Tony were honorably discharged, they were married on May 3, 1958, settled in Tony’s hometown of Persia, Iowa and began farming. They eventually farmed over 1,000 acres, raising a crossbred stockherd and running a farrow to finish swine operation. Renate was responsible for the farrowing aspect of the operation.

They raised 4 children, Lee Anthony (because she didn’t think the world needed another Anthony Leo Olhava), Renona (Renny), Doug and Heidee. Renate was heavily involved in many local organizations, Harrison County Cattlewomen, Harrison County Extension, Harrison County Porkettes, Harrison County Farm Bureau Women, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Harrison County 4-H and many more. Some of their proudest accomplishments were awards for their efforts in conservation farming. They understood that they played a vital role in the stewardship of their land.

Tony and Renate’s door was always open and noon meals with neighbors, friends, farm help and extended family was not uncommon. They loved sharing their life on the farm and throughout the years many nieces and nephews would spend their summers “on the farm” as well as numerous exchange students from several countries. They were part of close group of neighbors raising their families together, navigating farm life and creating memories.

Tony and Renate loved to travel and visited Europe, Russia, Cuba, Mexico, Alaska as well as many other places throughout the U.S. They never met a stranger and kept in contact with many folks they met throughout their travels.

After moving from the farm, they settled in Harlan, then Denison. Their passion for collecting kept them occupied throughout their retirement. Renate loved collecting dolls, pigs, beautiful china, antique hurricane lamps, jewelry, as well as many other things. They enjoyed sharing their collections with everyone that visited.

Renate and Tony were married for 59 years when he passed in 2017. In addition to Tony, her parents, brother Seigfried Schach and sister Magda Head, she is preceded in death by her son Lee, daughter Heidee, granddaughter Elizabeth Kay Olhava, and grandson Isaac Anthony Crawford.

Left to cherish their memories of Renate are Renona (Dennis) Crawford of Grinnell, Iowa, Douglas (Kimberly) Olhava of Garner, Iowa; Grandchildren; Christopher Wehr, Amanda (Stephen) Bordon, Joshua (Suzanne) Olhava, Malissa (Aaron) Indelicato, Jessica (Zach Ohlson) Crawford, Natasha Olhava, Lucas (Laura) Crawford; Colby Olhava, Rebecca (Finian) Kannegiesser, Theresa Crawford. Great grandchildren Anna and Evelyn Olhava, Sophie Crawford, Callum Bordon and Baby Kannegiesser expected in December.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff of the Des Moines Veterans Medical Center Cottage for the love and compassion that they provided Renate these past months. She truly was content and comfortable in their care and could not have been in a better place.

Services will be on Saturday July 25th at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Persia, Iowa. Visitation and viewing will begin at 1 p.m. followed by funeral service and interment at Valley View Cemetery near Persia. Memorials may be directed to the Des Moines Veterans Medical Center Cottage.