Lois Jean Donley Olden, born September 14, 1928, lived 97 years with a presence that was both fierce and full of grace. Known for her sharp mind and unwavering authenticity, Lois was a woman who never sugarcoated life, and that’s exactly why she was so deeply loved. She showed up for others not out of obligation, but because her heart was always open, even when her words were unfiltered.

Born to Floyd and Arretus Donley, Lois lost her mother at just 11 years old. Raised in a bustling household of 13, she learned resilience and how to navigate life with patience and backbone. It was in this lively environment that she developed her practical, good-humored way of moving through the world.

On March 10, 1951, she married Frank “Bud” Olden Jr., and together they built a life marked by work, family, and steady devotion. They raised three children: Robert “Bob” Olden, who preceded her in death, Dianna (Peter) Gransbergen, and James “Jim” Olden.

Lois had a fulfilling career as a dental technician in Aurora, IL, and later worked for Dr. Robert K. Kostiwa in Geneva, IL. She moved to Brooksville, FL, for her husband’s health, and was a long-time member of Fox Valley Presbyterian Church in Geneva, IL, and later Mission Del Sol Presbyterian Church in Tempe, AZ, grounding herself in community wherever she lived.

After Bud’s passing, Lois returned to Illinois before ultimately moving to Arizona in 2017 to live with her daughter. She carried her independence with her to the very end, even as she allowed her family to return the care she had given so freely throughout her life.

Lois had a rhythm all her own: mornings with coffee, rides given to friends, long conversations, and a generous presence in her community and family’s lives. She loved playing bridge, card games, Scrabble, and the dice game “You Blew It,” where her competitive edge was always on full display. She had an insatiable love for books, crossword puzzles, and word searches, keeping her mind sharp and her curiosity alive. And she loved the open road, driving cross-country with friends or grandchildren, collecting sights, stories, and small “gems” along the way.

Lois was also a gifted baker and cook, known for her Christmas cookies and delectable sweet treats that were always in high demand and devoured quickly. But it wasn’t just the sweets…her savory dishes were equally cherished, each recipe a testament to her love of flavor and family. Her kitchen was a place of warmth and magic, where flour, sugar, and spices became love in edible form. Her recipes, both sweet and savory are cherished treasures, passed down like heirlooms, and her cooking was not just a skill, it was her way of bringing joy to those she loved.

In addition to her children, Lois leaves behind her siblings Cherilyn “Cheri” Harvey, Carl Donley, Mary Louise “Micki” (Frank) Slezak, Douglas (Lana) Donley, and step-sister, Marie (Wooldridge) Stelle; her grandchildren Jarod “Jay” (Angela) Bogsinske, Bryan Olden, Melissa (Andrew Wrobel) Gransbergen, and Jessica (Sam) Houston; and her great-grandchildren Jarod Bogsinske Jr., Kadence Houston, Aayden Olden, and Camdyn Olden; and many beloved nieces and nephews who knew her as a devoted aunt and great-aunt. Each of them carries a piece of her humor, grit, wit, or wisdom.

Throughout her life, Lois often reminded those around her, “This too shall pass.” It was her way of offering comfort and perspective, a reminder that life’s storms are temporary, but love endures. Her words provided comfort for many; a simple phrase that carried profound wisdom. Rooted in her deep connection to faith, she understood that every trial was an invitation to trust, and every joy a gift to cherish. Her legacy is not just in the recipes she left behind, but in the resilience she inspired in all of us.

On her 97th birthday, when asked to make a wish, she blew out her candles, closed her eyes, crossed two fingers, and wished for peace on Earth. Even in her final months, her heart remained wide open, still dreaming on behalf of us all.

A service will be held on January 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Mission Del Sol Presbyterian Church in Tempe, Arizona. A celebration of life will be held in the spring in Batavia, Illinois. Further details to come.

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