Olive M. Lenz, 87
February 1, 2012
Olive Marie Lenz, 87, passed away on Jan.30, 2012. She will be missed immensely by her family and friends because she was such a great person, wonderful mother, and loving grandmother.
Olive had seven children, all living and doing well and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Olive was born on Oct. 28, 1924, in Culbertson, Mont., and was raised in Montana with her three siblings. She was an excellent student and graduated from Plains High School.
In 1945 she married Fred Lenz who worked for the railroad, and raised seven children: Rod Lenz, Vickie Martin Bohannon, Randy Lenz, Peggy Clough, Bill Lenz, Melanie Lenz Smith, and Jeff Lenz.
Olive was a family person in every way and her family reaped the rewards of sticking together throughout the years.
Olive divorced and started her career at age 45 when she began working in the kitchen of the Hospitality House in Plains, Mont., where she ultimately became the manager. Later, Olive was hired to start the new Plains School System hot lunch program where she cooked from scratch and made lifelong memories for the staff and students who enjoyed her home cooked meals. She was famous for her cinnamon rolls.
After several years Olive moved to Missoula where she worked as a cook at a fraternity and was greatly loved by the boys who lived there.
In 1988 Olive retired and moved to Spokane, where most of her children lived by then. She met her companion, John Blessant, and lived with him for many years where her family and grandchildren were always welcome. Mom hosted many happy events there and continued to delight her family with her old fashioned cooking.
During these years she babysat her grandchildren, and took up doll collecting in which she rescued old dolls, made homemade outfits and matching blankets for charity. Olive was always a giving person.
After John Blessant’s passing, Olive bought a modular home and set it up near a daughter in the country where she lived until her passing. Olive was a country girl at heart and she loved the deer, the trees, solitude, and the breathtaking gardens her daughter created in their backyard every year.
During this time Olive babysat her other grandkids that also lived nearby and got much pleasure from them as they grew from babies into fine children.
Olive was very active with her hobbies, which included oil painting and sewing. She volunteered at the GreenHouse Community Center in Deer Park, and joined two bowling leagues. Olive enjoyed her bowling buddies immensely and looked forward to being one of the gang.
Olive Lenz was one in a million, creative, fun, and the heart of her family. Her positive impact on the world will live on in our memories and be carried out in the habits and traditions of her family and friends.
A private memorial will be held when all her children can come together. The family asks that all financial gifts be sent to an animal shelter of their choice to honor Olive’s love for animals.
Cards and letters for the family can be mailed to P.O. Box 1980, Deer Park, WA 99006.
Paid obituary
