Elizabeth R. Oleson's Obituary
Big Rapids - Elizabeth R. "Liz" Oleson, age 87 of Big Rapids passed away Saturday January 19, 2013. She was born on December 13, 1925 in Big Rapids, the daughter of Otto and Ruth (Shippa) Sack. Liz was raised and lived on the east side of town her entire life. She graduated from St. Peters Lutheran School and Big Rapids High School. On October 20, 1945 she married her childhood sweetheart, George Oleson. Together they raised their three children, Tom, Bonnie and Kathy. At age 14 Liz started working at Liberty Dairy as a Soda Jerk. Forty-nine and ½ years later she retired from there as office manager. She was very active in civic and church affairs. Liz served on the City Plan Board, Dart Board, was a member and officer of Business and Professional Women, Zonta Club, League of Lutheran Women, the Hospital Auxiliary and Big Rapids High School Alumni Association. In a special election in 1993 she was elected to serve on the Mecosta County Commission representing District 7. Liz is survived by two daughters, Bonnie (Donald) Dunn of Big Rapids, Kathy (Gary) Smith of Mt. Pleasant, seven grandchildren, Jodi (Erich) Daum of Big Rapids, Eric (Jackie) Oleson of MN, Brian Dunn of Hope, David (Kimberly) Dunn of Howard City, Daniel (Melonie) Dunn of Howard City, Karri (Renato Ricciuti) Smith of Sterling Heights, Aaron (Rona Bohm) Smith of Traverse City, 15 great grandchildren, one sister, Ethel Anne Clements of Battle Creek, one brother, Ronald (Judy) Sack of Big Rapids plus many nieces and nephews. Also special friends, Richard and Ginny Spedowski and John and Rose Todd who helped Liz so much. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, one son Thomas, daughter-in-law Diane Oleson, one grandson Kurt Dunn, sister Dorothy King, brother-in-law H.L. King, brother Glen Sack, sister-in-law Marie Sack, sister Beatrice and brother-in-law Frank Marlette, and brother-in-law Ronald Clements. Funeral services for Liz will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday January 22, 2013 at St. Peters Lutheran Church with Pastor John Bookshaw officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 4-7p.m. at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids and from 10 a.m. until service time at church on Tuesday. Burial will be at Highland View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mecosta County Commission on Aging for Meals on Wheels. Share a memory or express condolences at www.mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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