PHYLLIS M. OLEN, age 85 of Manistee died Sunday, February 22, 2015 at Complex Care Hospital in Sarasota, Florida.
She was born on June 14, 1929 in Manistee, the daughter of the Late Andrew and Agnes (Krusniak) Smith. She attended Manistee High School, graduating in 1948. Phyllis married Arthur C. Olen on August 16, 1952 in the Rectory of Saint Joseph church in Manistee, where she was a lifelong member.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Arthur C. Olen of Manistee; sons, John (Sandra) Olen and Jim Olen of Manistee and Arthur (Sharon) Olen Jr. of Jenison MI; grandchildren, Amber (Olen) England of Walker, MI, Amanda Olen of Punta Gorda, FL, John (Beth) Olen II of Hilbert, WI, Jacob Olen of Manistee and Tori, Tara and Tyler Olen of Jenison, MI; great grandchildren, Hunter England and Daniel Rop of Walker, MI, Hope Olen of Hilbert, WI and Gavin Pulido of Manistee; sister; Gertrude Smuda of Manistee; brothers, Richard Smith of Manistee and Floyd Smith of Free Soil; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis was also preceded in death by her son and daughter-in-law; Michael (Jeanne Akins) Olen; brothers, Eugene and Clarence Smith; sisters-in-law, Marie, Betty, Lenore and Darlene; brother-in-law, Ray Smuda, Sr.; and a great-granddaughter, Alise Marie England.
Phyllis loved spending time with her family and many friends, but especially with her Grand Children and Great Grand Children. She was enthusiastic about sports, including bowling for many years herself, and of course attending her Children and Grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, including sporting and music events. She and her Husband Art spent many wonderful and memorable times going out for meals with her sister Gert, her brother Rich, and brother and sister in law, Harold and Vicky Olen. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, doing ceramics, and was also an avid flower lover. She spent many happy and relaxing hours caring for her plants and flowers.
A Memorial Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Church in Manistee on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM with Father John McCracken celebrant. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 AM until time of service.
Memorials in Phyllis’s name may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Please visit Phyllis’s personal page of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a story or photo. The family has entrusted Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center with funeral arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phyllis M. Olen (Smith), please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.