Can’t keep King and Queen from hometown

Jerry Oyloe and Norma Jean Ernst will represent the town of Ossian when they are crowned the King and Queen at the upcoming Ossian Fest celebration. The pair will be the stars of the parade, which is set to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

 

 

Can’t keep King and Queen from hometown

 

by Zakary Kriener
zkriener@fayettecountynewspapers.com

 

 

Despite growing up in northeast Iowa, the two Ossian Senior Hospice residents cannot be considered lifetime residents of the small town. Both went their own ways, Ernst to South Dakota and Oyloe to Arizona, for multiple decades. However, and quite coincidentally, the two just could not stay away from their hometown, as they wound up back in the town in which they grew up.

“They were both raised in Ossian, moved away, and came back to the community,” said Ossian Senior Hospice administrator Eileen Courtney on the decision to make the pair King and Queen. “I think that says something about them.”

The annual celebration, which carries the theme “Anything Goes” this year, is set to kick off Saturday morning, Aug. 1. Various children’s games and activities will be available throughout the day. As the sun begins to set, a parade will make its way down Main Street. Norma Jean and Jerry will surely be smiling big and waving at the hundreds in attendance.

“They might have to keep an eye on me to make sure I don’t eat all of the candy,” joked Oyloe.

Oyloe was a member of Ossian Public School’s graduating class of 1944. Shortly after he graduated, he married Ruth Kuennen in nearby St. Lucas.

Not long after his wedding, Oyloe was drafted into the United States military.

“When I got to Des Moines for my physical, they asked me what I wanted to do: Army, Navy, or Marines,” recalled the WWII veteran. “I figured the Navy would be a good choice.”

Oyloe served on the U.S.S. Wachapreague, a ship that was responsible for providing supplies to smaller PT boats.

After getting out of the military, Oyloe began working at the Ossian elevator grain service. Soon-after, became a feed, seed, and fertilizer ins[pector for the U.S. government.

Oyloe, who had a son, Gordon, then moved to Arizona. The grandfather of three lived there for over 25 years before he decided to move back to Ossian, his true home.

The former avid golfer enjoys spending his time watching classic television shows. 

On Saturday, he most looks forward to riding in the parade and, of course, the candy.

Oyloe’s former dance partner, Norma Jean Ernst, shares a similar story to Oyloe.

Ernst is two years younger than Oyloe, having graduated from Ossian Public School in 1946. She worked several years as a waitress before moving to Kimball, S.D. 

Ernst and her husband, Arthur, lived out-of-state for 35 years, with Norma Jean working as a dental assistant. She moved back to Ossian in Jauary. 2015 so she could be with many of her friends.

One of Norma Jean’s favorite hobbies was embroidery. She enjoyed embroidering pillowcases, towels, and other items. Although she no longer embroiders, Ernst fills her free time by reading newspapers and magazines.

“I like keeping up with everything that is going on,” she said.

Norma Jean and her husband, Arthur, who died in the early ‘90s, is kept company by her poodle, Sweetie.

“I have always enjoyed dogs,” shared Ernst, who has had Pomeranians and poodles throughout her life.

The Ossian Senior Hospice resident acknowledges that it is a great honor to be chosen as the Queen of Ossian.

Prior to the Ossian Fest parade, Ossian Senior Hospice will be featuring live music for the residents, and who knows? Maybe Jerry will ask Norma Jean to dance this time around, for old times’ sake.

Also being recognized at the 2015 Ossian Fest will be the Ossian Volunteer Fire Department and all area veterans, who will serve as grand marshals for the parade.

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