Obituary of Iola Lois Levang

Iola Lois (Berentson) LEVANG Feb. 14, 1923 ~ April 7, 2015 Iola passed away quietly at the age of 92 and is now at home with Olav, her husband of 44 years who passed away in 1999. Iola was born on Valentine’s Day in Pemberton, Minnesota to Sanford and Ida Berentson. She was Baptized March 6, 1923 at Medo Lutheran Church in Mapleton, Minnesota. Sanford and Ida moved their family (Pearl, Lorraine, Iola, Oliver and Betty) to Ferndale, Washington in 1939. In June of 1941, Iola graduated from Ferndale High School; and in September of 1941, she enrolled at Bellingham Business College. After completing her secretarial course-work, she began working at Peoples National Bank of Washington in Anacortes. While living In Anacortes she met Roy Williams. They were married in April of 1946 and their daughter Karin Williams (Levang) Enger was born in December 1947. Roy and Iola were divorced in 1953. After living briefly in St. Louis, Missouri, Iola and Karin returned to Seattle to live with Iola’s sister Lorraine. Lorraine was dating a man who had been born in Norway and they introduced Iola to the man’s brother, Olav Levang. In a joint wedding ceremony in November of 1955 the two sisters married the two brothers. Iola and Olav moved to West Seattle in 1955 and bought their first house by Lincoln Park in 1956. Their three children (Nancy Levang Wittman, Arne Levang and Linda Levang Warber) were born in West Seattle. Karin and Linda still live in West Seattle, Arne lives in LaConner and Nancy lives in Federal Way. Iola worked most of her adult life as a secretary. She knew shorthand and at one time could type 100 words per minute! When Iola and Olav retired they moved to Federal Way. After Olav’s death, Iola sold their home and moved to an apartment in West Seattle. As her Alzheimer’s progressed she needed day-to-day help and moved to Daystar near Westwood Village. After several years at Daystar, Iola moved to a private home in Federal Way and was cared for by Gina and her loving staff at AMG Family Homes. She was a generous and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all who were a part of her life. Her memory will live forever in the hearts of those who loved her. Iola is survived by her 3 daughters, 1 son, 4 granddaughters, 4 grandsons, 5 great-granddaughters and 2 great-grandsons. Iola’s memorial service will be Saturday, May 2, 2015, 4 p.m., at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 2400 SW 344th Street, Federal Way, WA 98023. In lieu of flowers, Iola would have appreciated your (tax deductible) donation to support our Disabled American Veterans (http://www.dav.org/help-dav/) or call 877-647-8387.