Mary Ellen Olson
January 5, 1908 — May 7, 2005
Mary Ellen Olson, 97 of Eureka, died Saturday, May 7, 2005 at Medicalodge in Eureka, Kansas.
She was born on January 5, 1908 in Elk County, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Munsey) Combs. She graduated from Severy High School at age 15, and earned a Normal Training Certificate from Emporia State Teachers College and began teaching at age 17. She taught 27 years in Greenwood County schools and Kansas City, Kansas schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Baker University and a Masters of Science Degree from Pittsburg State University. After retirement she taught Adult Education classes and did private tutoring. She moved to Eureka in 1998.
On May 21, 1930 she was united in marriage to Roy C. Olson. The marriage later ended in divorce.
She was a member of the Metropolitan Avenue Methodist Church of Kansas City and was active in church work for many years.
She is survived by two daughters, Margaret Spires of Eureka and Judith Laber of Linn Creek, Missouri; four grandchildren, Marcia Barr of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Gary Spires of Towanda, Peggy Gillen of Americus and Linda Mounkes of Allen; nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Virginia and Catherine; one brother Frank and infant twin daughter, Myrna.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, May 12, 2005 at Koup Family Funeral with visitation from 6-7 P.M., Wednesday. Pastor Roger Dennis will officiate. Interment will be South Lawn Cemetery in Severy.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with the Eureka Library Building Fund.
She was born on January 5, 1908 in Elk County, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Munsey) Combs. She graduated from Severy High School at age 15, and earned a Normal Training Certificate from Emporia State Teachers College and began teaching at age 17. She taught 27 years in Greenwood County schools and Kansas City, Kansas schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Baker University and a Masters of Science Degree from Pittsburg State University. After retirement she taught Adult Education classes and did private tutoring. She moved to Eureka in 1998.
On May 21, 1930 she was united in marriage to Roy C. Olson. The marriage later ended in divorce.
She was a member of the Metropolitan Avenue Methodist Church of Kansas City and was active in church work for many years.
She is survived by two daughters, Margaret Spires of Eureka and Judith Laber of Linn Creek, Missouri; four grandchildren, Marcia Barr of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Gary Spires of Towanda, Peggy Gillen of Americus and Linda Mounkes of Allen; nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Virginia and Catherine; one brother Frank and infant twin daughter, Myrna.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, May 12, 2005 at Koup Family Funeral with visitation from 6-7 P.M., Wednesday. Pastor Roger Dennis will officiate. Interment will be South Lawn Cemetery in Severy.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with the Eureka Library Building Fund.
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