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Laura Oldberg passed away on October 29, 2024, in Missouri Valley, Iowa. She was 95 years old. Laura Lucille Shields was born in Red Oak, Iowa, on March 18, 1929 to Charles and Vera (Bass) Shields.

She graduated from Elliot, Iowa Consolidated School in 1946. Laura accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord when at the University of Iowa in 1947, and during her college years she was a member of the University of Iowa chapter of the Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Iowa in 1950.

After graduation, she taught women's physical education at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois. She married Nils Oldberg, a graduate of the University of Missouri, on June 8, 1951. She and Nils became missionaries, serving with the Evangelical Free Church of America from 1951 through 1990. This included one year of studies at Trinity Bible College and Seminary followed by another year of studies in Belgium to learn French and then to complete the Colonial Courses required by the Belgian government for teaching in the Belgian Congo.

They arrived in Congo on October 1, 1953, to begin their teaching ministry there. They served in Congo until 1973. After a year of home assignment in the U.S. they took a year off in order to care for their aging mothers. They were then asked by the Mission to go to Belgium to begin a church planting ministry alongside the Belgian Evangelical Church. After two years of seminary preparations for Nils, they went to Belgium to begin the work in 1977. Over the next 13 years they started two churches in the greater Brussels area before retiring in 1990.

Leaving the foreign mission field did not stop Laura from serving her Lord Jesus Christ. She became actively involved in her new Minnesota church, in Bible studies, women’s ministry, small group, and as treasurer. In the community she began working as a Para at a local elementary school where, for 10 years she poured her life and love into the lives of special needs children. Even in these last 17 years in Blair, NE, she has continued to serve in the church, to volunteer in preschool, to mentor youth, and to engage with people in her circles, as a Christian witness and to pray for her grandchildren and her “greats.” Her deep desire has been that people would come to faith in Christ.

Laura is survived by her children: Rachel Bliss (Nathan) of Oakdale MN., David Oldberg (Karin) of Blair, NE, and Paul Oldberg (Patti) of Missouri Valley, IA. Laura is also survived by 11 grandchildren and their spouses, and by 29 great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces and several missionary colleagues.

Visitation will be from 1-2 pm on November 30 followed by a celebration of life service at PassageWay Church in Blair, NE at 2 pm.

Memorials can be given to: Give.efca.org Bibles for Africa 2200-5415 or by mail to EFCA Donor Services, 991 E. 78th St., Minneapolis, MN. 55420 Make check payable to: EFCA ReachGlobal Note for: Bibles for Africa 2200-5415.

Interment will be at Center Ridge Cemetery next to the Center Ridge Presbyterian Church, where she and Nils were married, North of Red Oak, Montgomery County, Iowa.

Services provided by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE www.campbellaman.com

#2 Funeral leaflet

In Memory of Laura Lucille Oldberg

Memorial Service for Laura Lucille Oldberg at PassageWay Church, Blair, Nebraska. Prelude (on musical instruments) André Oldberg, Sierra Oldberg, Joie Burchell

Welcome and Invocation: David Oldberg

Congregation: "Thanks to God for my Redeemer", accompanied on instruments by David Bliss, Hannah Bliss, André Oldberg, Annie Burchell

Obituary: Rachel Bliss

Special Music: "My Tribute" on instruments Carl Bliss, Hannah Bliss, Kimia McMullen, Nait Bliss, Greta Ebner, Ellie Mossberg, Katie Bliss, Josiah Bliss.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 145 by Laura Mcmullen, Katie Nikkel, Emily Oldberg

Congregation: "Great is Thy Faithfulness", accompanied on instruments by Karin and David Oldberg, Eleanor McMullen, Joe Burchell

Scripture Reading: Psalm 95: 1-7a by Eleanor Rozelle Laura Oldberg's Testimony: Video from January, 2015

Message: Pastor Tim Kroeker

Memories: family and friends

Congregation: "Amazing Grace", accompanied on instruments by David Bliss, Josiah Bliss, Eleanor McMullen, Kimia McMullen. Last verse written by Laura's husband Nils in Manitowoc, Wisconsin while he awaited the completion of the building of the USS Guavina, the submarine on which he would serve

"I love to sing my Savior's praise
And of His grace to me.
He saved me from a burning hell.
Someday His face I'll see"

Closing Prayer: Pastor

Congregation: Closing Song: "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (Lingala speakers: Nasili Kopona Kobile Yesu) accompanied on instruments by Erik Oldberg, Nait Bliss, Will Burchell, Grant Oldberg, Sierra Oldberg.

I have decided to follow Jesus (3x)
No turning back, no turning back

The world behind me, the Cross before me (3x)
No turning back, no turning back
(Final verses in Lingala--join as comfortable)*

Nasili Kopona Kobila Yesu (3x)
Nakozonga na nsima te.

Yonso na nsima, Yesu liboso (3x)
Nakozonga na nsima te

*vowels similar to Spanish pronunciations

Memorials can be given to Bibles for Africa 2200-5415 or by mail to EVCA Donor Services 991 E 78th St. Minneapolis, MN 55420 Make checks payable to EFCA ReachGlobal Note: for Bibles for Africa 220-5415

Interment will be at 10am Dec. 1 at Center Ridge Cemetery next to the Center Ridge Presbyterian Church, where she and Nils were married. North of Red Oak, Montgomery County, Iowa

~~~Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #275930318