Iola Ann Gieger
September 23, 1938 – June 14, 2021
Iola was born to Lola and Neland Gray in Clayton, New Mexico, on September 23, 1938. She grew up in Clayton and enjoyed loving parents who cared for her and taught her the love of Jesus Christ. She was a member of the Clayton Church of Christ and went through primary school graduating valedictorian from Clayton High School. She was the light of her parent’s lives and her father, an optometrist in Clayton, lovingly called her Ola Ann.
She left Clayton to attend Abilene Christian University where she met her partner in life and her love, Loren. For 64 years they were a couple including their time dating, through their engagement, and then providing each other a great marriage for over 61 years. They had a partnership focused on Christ, their family, and working with many congregations of the church of Christ in Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan.
Iola and Loren also dedicated their professional lives especially to students in Michigan and Oklahoma. She served as the administrative assistant to the president and taught typing at Michigan Christian College. Later she provided great service to Oklahoma Christian University as an assistant to various administrators. Her excellence in that role benefited the university in ways the school continues to enjoy. Together they impacted thousands of lives of university students and members of the congregations they served pointing them towards Jesus and salvation. Iola taught countless Bible classes for children teaching about Jesus, grace, and Heaven. She was a great example of a Christian life.
She also dedicated her life to her family. She provided for her boys and took them to countless activities. She taught thousands of piano lessons for young people motived by her love for music and to help make money to provide for her family. She and Loren had special times making music with her on the piano and him playing the trumpet together.
She is survived by Loren who also provided amazing care for her during the last years of her life allowing her to remain in her home and caring for all her needs. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Gayla Pope and her husband Terry, son Leland Gieger, son Gayland and his wife Shannon Gieger, and son Shawn and his wife Ginger Gieger. She is also survived by her adoring grandchildren, Lauren and her husband Rocky Castillo, Harrison Gieger and his wife Vivian, Jackson Gieger, Alex Gieger, Ashley Jackson, Mackenzie Farney, Grace Farney, and Caleb Miller. She also loved Nancy Magee, Peggy Menzdorf, Ashlea, and Joanie and considered them her family.
She was loved by all who were fortunate enough to know her. We are confident she is enjoying the grace God has poured upon her in heaven with her parents, her cherished in-laws, Luther and Ida Gieger, and many friends and loved ones. We are better to have shared her life and look forward to seeing her again there.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 18, 2021 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, OK.
Loren, I can’t make it Friday, but prayers are being sent your way for you and family. She is such a amazing lady. God bless.!!!!!
My sincere condolences and sympathy to Loren and all the Gieger family. May God bless and comfort you at this time of sorrow and grant you peace. May pleasant memories sustain you.
I knew Iola and her parents when I grew up. I still remember us in Bible class taught by her mother Lola Gray. Her father Neland Gray used to lead singing at church. He also often went quail hunting on my grandfathers property.
So very saddened to hear of Iola’s passing. We enjoyed working together at Oklahoma Christian University for many years, sharing an office for a few of them. We became good friends and would periodically meet for lunch together. Iola was a dear Christian lady and she will be greatly missed by those having the pleasure of knowing her. She loved her family sacrificially and my thoughts and prayers go out to them. Heaven will be all the sweeter with her presence there.
Fondly,