Edna Elaine Olberding

Elaine attended schools in Lee County, Iowa graduating from Montrose High in 1946. She joined the US Navy as a WAVE in January, 1949 and served during the Korean War. During this time she met Vernon Olberding whom she married January 19, 1951.

Elaine was an organizer and Charter Member of the Northwest Florida WAVES Unit #52. She served as President and Vice President and other offices of the Unit for many years. Elaine was also a Charter Member of WAVES National and Women in Military Service for America (WIMSA).

Elaine and Vernon, her husband of 63 years, lived in San Francisco, Waukegan, IL, Charleston, SC, Endecott, New York, Honolulu, HI, Mundelein, IL and settled in Pensacola in 1974.

Elaine and Vernon were avid square dancers and operated several square dance related businesses over 35 years. She loved Pensacola, being a long term resident, but also enjoyed traveling the United States in their motor home.

She is survived by daughters Marcy O. Barnhart (Rick) of Montgomery, AL, Kathy R. Heineken of Pensacola, FL and son Gary L. Olberding of Jacksonville, FL; six grandchildren, Catherine, Erik, Jonathan (Jen), Jenny (Isaac), Elizabeth and Michael; great-grandchildren Vivien, Oscar and Eliana; and sister-in-law Julia Pezley. She was preceded in death by her husband Vernon, parents Charles and Lila Mae Pezley; brothers Raymond and Eugene; and sisters Irma and Shirley.

Services will be held Monday, March 2, at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel of Pensacola, FL. Viewing will be at 10:30 with services following at 11:30. Services will be officiated by her son-in-law, Rev. Rick Barnhart. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery on the Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Covenant Hospice of Pensacola would be appreciated.