Eli M. Oboler Library
Oelwein Family History - MC083
Walter James David Oelwein was born on October 10, 1883 in Toledo, Ohio to Charles R. and Emma Weise Oelwein. He attended school in Oelwein, Iowa and worked as a machinist for the Chicago and Great Western Railroad. During World War I, Walter Oelwein served with the 30th Balloon Company of the American Expeditionary Forces. In 1919, he moved to Pocatello.
Shortly after arriving in Pocatello, Mr. Oelwein formed a business partnership with Fred Roberts and George Greensburg to buy and operate People's Market, a meat and grocery retailer on Pocatello's west side. He retired from this business in 1967. He was very active in the Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, the Elks Club, local Veteran's organizations and also served as a trustee of Bannock Memorial Hospital. He passed away on March 22, 1983 in Pocatello.
Alva Caroline Holmberg Oelwein was born on July 29, 1894 in Newcastle, Colorado to Andrew and Anna Johnson Holmberg. Her family moved to Breckenridge, Colorado where she attended local schools. She then attended Colorado State Teacher's College in Greeley, graduating at the age of 18. Mrs. Oelwein came to Idaho on March 27, 1914 to teach elementary school in Soda Springs.
Walter Oelwein and Alva Holmberg were married on June 14, 1924 in Pocatello. They were the parents of four children: Helen, Anne, Alice and Walter. They resided at 622 South 8th Avenue for 59 years.
Mrs. Oelwein moved to Pocatello in September of 1917 where she taught at Whittier and Jefferson Elementary Schools for seven years. She began teaching in the Education Department at Idaho Technical Institute in 1922 to 1924. In later years, she was very active in the Idaho State College Alumni Association. Mrs. Oelwein was very active in PTA organization on the local and state level, the local branch of the American Association of University Women, the local Masonic organizations for women and the auxiliary organizations of the Methodist Church. She passed away on June 12, 1983 in Pocatello.