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Olmsted, Joan E.

Joan E. Olmsted, age 80, of Bear Creek passed away peacefully on Monday, August 7, 2017 at Aster Assisted Living of Clintonville.

The former Joan Esther Jarvais was born on August 10, 1936 in the Town of Deer Creek, Outagamie County, to Willard and Edith (Young) Jarvais. She was united in marriage June 16, 1954 to Keith R. Olmsted at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bear Creek. The couple purchased the can milk route from her brothers, Roger Jarvais and Harold Jarvis. In 1960 the business was incorporated as Keith R. Olmsted & Sons of Bear Creek. Joan was instrumental in keeping the family business running. She did bookkeeping and even drove milk truck from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s. Joan especially loved taking care of her husband, raising her children, and spending time with her grandchildren. The couple enjoyed traveling, bowling, and working side-by-side for many years. Her husband preceded her in death on November 29, 2015. Joan was a longtime active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served with the PCCW on numerous activities. She helped organize many Vicariate Meetings, volunteered countless hours in the Rummage Room, helped count the church collection for many years, and during the Sauerkraut Festival she often ran the craft booth. Her talent with sewing and crafting led her to operating Blue Barn Crafts on Silver Creek Road for some time. She was known as one hell of a fisherwoman and especially cherished the weekend trips up north with her daughters and girlfriends. Joan also liked to spend time with her friend, Lila Mae Young, whether it was fishing, playing cards, or going different places. Her other interests included completing jig saw puzzles and creating beautiful photo albums. She will be remembered most as a humble, giving, loving, understanding, and independent lady.

Survivors include 12 children; Mary (Ken) Hohensee of Bear Creek, Sue (John) Rusch of Shawano, Don (Charlotte) Olmsted of Bear Creek, Patty (Tom) Daley of Neenah, Joan (Jerry) Plumb of Clintonville, Dan (Chris) Olmsted of Bear Creek, Jim (friend Ann Steffens) Olmsted of New London, Mike (fiancée Sarah Janssen) Olmsted of Bear Creek, Jerry (Lisa) Olmsted of Clintonville, Andy (Lorry) Hoier of New London, John (Hazel) Hoier of New London, and Amy (Manuel) Silva of Appleton. There is one daughter-in-law, Kara Hoier of Hudson. There are 23 grandchildren: Matt, Sammie Jo, Jonathon, Paul, Dawn, Rick, Alan, Zach, Dakota, Stephanie, Aaron, Emily, Olivia, Kaylee, Kara, Jake, Emma, Sam, Claire, Gabriella, Drew, Nick, and Amanda. There are 12 great-grandchildren: Max, Joey, Isabella, Nive, Lucas, McKenna, Arsyn, Ethan, Bristol, Mira, Korbyn, and Hazel. She is further survived by a sister-in-law, Kathy Jarvis of Bear Creek; a brother-in-law, David Olmsted of Neenah, nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends. Joan is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Keith, an infant son Mark, a son Rodney Hoier, a grandson Alex Olmsted, one sister June (Raymond) Hoier, two brothers, Roger (Glenda) Jarvais and Harold Jarvis; a niece Kathy Hoier, and a nephew Ted Jarvais. She is further preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law Richard and Maude Olmsted, a brother-in-law Bob (Audrey) Olmsted, a sister-in-law Eileen Olmsted, and a niece Julie Partlow.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, August 12th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bear Creek. Fr. John “Jack” Mullarkey officiated and burial followed in the parish cemetery. The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, assisted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to “St. Mary’s Parish.”

The family wishes to thank all the staff at Aster Assisted Living for the care and compassion given to Mom.

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