- Date Of Birth: June 26, 1917
- Date Of Death: March 8, 2016
- State: Michigan
Elizabeth Olson, passed away Tuesday evening March 8, 2016 at King’s Daughters with her family by her side at the age of 98. The daughter of the late Ethel (Noble) and Arthur H. Stange was born on June 26, 1917 in Detroit, Michigan. She married Kenneth Jean Olson on July 2, 1943 in East Lansing, Mi. They were happily married 64 years.
Elizabeth grew up in Midland, Mi. graduating from Midland high School in June, 1935. Then continued her education graduating from Midland County Normal in June, 1936 and graduated from Kalamazoo College with a B.A in History and English in June, 1943. Elizabeth taught school in rural Midland County and 5th grade in Rochester, Mi. She worked at Miller’s Insurance Co. in Lansing, Mi. and for the State Auditor General Accounting Dept. in the payroll division.
She came to know Jesus at the age of 12 and this showed in her genuine and caring spirit for many people through acts of kindness for her family, friends and for those less fortunate than herself.
Lib, as many people called her, spent many hours volunteering in Midland. She was a 4H Club and Girl Scout Leader, serving as a member of the Mitten Bay Girl Scout Council Board. She was a member of Midland First United Methodist Church. Lib taught Sunday school, was the co-leader for the Special Education Sunday school class and a counselor for Methodist Youth Fellowship.
Lib was a member of the King’s Daughters and Sons organization. She worked with the King’s Daughters Community Christmas Closet for 10 years as chairman and also a buyer purchasing new clothes. Lib was chairman of the King’s Daughters Home Board and also served as assistant treasurer, treasurer, personnel chairman and admissions chairman. She was a member of the Tuesday Review Club and the Midland Historical Society serving as vice chairman and chairman.
She was also a member of the Midland Center for the Arts Board, the Midland County Social Services Board for 10 years, the United States Power Squadron Auxiliary and served as chairman, belonged to the Midland Hospital Auxiliary, the Chippewa Nature Center and served as a school program guide, a lifetime member of the Midland branch of AAUW. and named gift honoree. Lib was a member and president of Alpha Beta Epsilon Sorority, a member of the National Wheat Weavers Association, Board member of Harbor Cove Boat Club Auxiliary, a member of the Grandmother’s Club, Harbor Cove, North Port, Fl. She was a member of the Sewing Club for over 50 years and the Crewel group.
Her hobbies and activities included wood carving, painting with water colors, sculpture, ceramics, reading, camping and traveling with Ken. She also enjoyed and taught classes both in Wheat Weaving and making Temari Balls.
Surviving are 2 daughters, Karen (William) Ciffin of Linden, Mi. and Margaret (Dale) Brown of Holt, Mi.; 3 grandchildren, Jeff (Barb) Ciffin, Kelly (Jason) Robinson and Wesley Brown; and by 3 great grandchildren, Ryan and Christopher Ciffin, Kennedy Robinson; 2 nephews, John (Darlene) Stange of Battle Creek, Robert (Carol) Stange of Lexington, KY. In addition to her parents, her husband Ken in 2007, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her brother, John Stange and an infant daughter Jane Elizabeth.
The family would like to thank all the staff at the King’s Daughters Home for their loving care for Elizabeth. With her great sense of humor she had a wonderful camaraderie with the nurses, dining room staff and others.
