Josephine Ann Oles, 96 of Hart and formerly of Grand Haven, passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. She was born in Glen Ullin, ND on April 2, 1919. She was the oldest of nine children born to Eva (Schafer) and Harry Kautzman.
She met her future husband at a U.S.O. dance in Bismarck, ND where he was stationed at the time. They moved to Chicago, IL after the war. When their first son was born, they moved to Grand Haven, MI to escape the big city climate. In 2002 Jo and John moved to Hart to be with her oldest son and his family.
Jo enjoyed feeding the birds, baking Kolachi, and spending time with her granddaughters and her great-grandchildren. She loved getting down on her knees and playing with the little ones. Her one obsession was her calico cat "Holly" who brought joy to her later years.
She is survived by her sons, Robert (Shirley) Oles of Hart and John (Laure) Oles of Tabenash, CO; granddaughters, Danielle (Gary) Barnes of Troy, Darci (Bryan) Acrich of Novi and great-grandchildren, Zander and Felicia Barnes and Lyla and Ari Acrich.
Josephine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; and her sisters, Alvina Steckler, Betty Metzger, Clara Senger, Eleanor Winterroth, Tina Marback, Mary Roth, Tillie Weiss; and brother, Eugene Kautzman.
The Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Oles will be offered, Saturday, March 12, 2016, at 11:00 am at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Hart with Father Thomas Bolster officiating. Interment will be in Lakeshore Cemetery in Grand Haven Township. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 316 South Peach Street, Hart MI.