Lucretia Ann Van Olst

Lucretia was born June 28, 1931 in Asheville, North Carolina to Raymond Edward and Virginia Snider Gehrke. She married Robert Alexis Van Olst in Iowa City, Iowa on December 1, 1951. They were married 57 years. Lucretia passed surrounded by family on August 4, 2023. She had been a resident of Sanibel Island, Florida for the last 12 years.

She attended schools in St. Louis, MO, Waynesville, MO, Parker, AZ, San Bernadino, CA, and graduated as valedictorian from West Liberty High School in West Liberty, IA. She graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa.

She worked as a pharmacist in New Jersey and Mississippi. She was a member of the Beta Phi Fraternity; Kappa Epsilon Pharmacy Professional Society; and Colonial Dames of XVII Century. Lucretia and her husband were also founding members of the Tavistock Hills Swim Club in Barrington, NJ.

Lucretia was also a member of P.E.O. for more than 70 years and served as State Chapter President of P.E.O. in New Jersey in 1974 and in Mississippi in 1985.

Her husband, Robert, predeceased her in 2009 and her sister, Greta Gehrke Mapes in 1996. Survivors include her children and their spouses: Ann and William Wolf, Barbara and Gary Murza, Robert and Francine Van Olst, Eric and Jessica Van Olst, and Kris and Ashley Van Olst. She had 15 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A private service and interment was held at Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens in New Port Richey, Florida, on August 9, 2023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.meadowlawnfuneralhome.com for the Van Olst family.