Thursday, April 18, 2024
Betty Marie Olheiser, 87, of Shoreline died peacefully in her sleep on April 20, 2022, with family at her side. She had spent her last weeks at home recovering from recurrent strokes before the Lord called her to eternal life.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, April 29, at 1 p.m. in the St. Luke Parish gymnasium in Shoreline, officiated by Fr. Brad Hagelin. Burial was held at Restlawn Memorial Park, 23800 104th Ave. W, Edmonds.
Betty, the youngest of six children, was born on May 28, 1934, to Henry and Eva (Hertz) Loran in Dickinson, North Dakota. She grew up as a member of St. Joseph Parish. Betty graduated from Dickinson High School in 1952, and went to work as a bank teller, beginning a 46-year career in the banking industry.
In 1955, Betty married Francis "Fran" Olheiser. Together, they raised five children in Dickinson until late 1972, when Fran sold his paint and decorating business and the family moved to Seattle, where they became members of St. Luke Parish.
After the move, Betty quickly found work as a vault and merchant teller at Seafirst Bank, which was eventually purchased by Bank of America. After several years as a teller, Betty moved into loan administration, working as a senior collateral credit analyst until she retired on July 1, 1998.
Betty had looked forward to traveling with Fran in retirement, but he became ill unexpectedly and died on Aug. 20, 1998. She became an avid walker after Fran's death, walking close to 4 miles each day during visits to him at the cemetery. Betty had a deep faith in God.
She was a loving and caring mother who always put family first. Her family and friends will miss receiving the birthday and holiday cards she loved to send. In retirement, Betty did volunteer work for St. Luke Parish.
She enjoyed container flower gardening; reading; doing crossword puzzles; watching "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy!," and Mariners baseball on television; and having phone call visits with her children and grandchildren and their families. She will be remembered with great love.
Betty is survived by her children, Debby Olheiser of Everett; Brian Olheiser of Shoreline; Cathy Olheiser of Everett; Laurie (David) Tollefsen of Brier; and Becky (Bill) Stead of Milwaukie, Oregon.
She is also survived by four grandchildren: Michael, Melissa, Ben Stead, and Katie Tollefsen; three great-grandchildren, Sterling Stead, Riley Anderson, and Harlow Stead; her brother-in-law, James "Jack" Olheiser; her sister-in-law, Gloria Loran-Dunlop; and many nieces and nephews.
Betty's parents, Henry and Eva; her husband, Fran; two infant children, Jeanie and Terry; three brothers, Val, Jake, and Henry; and two sisters, Kathryn "Kay" Smith and Barbara "Babe" Olson, preceded her in death.
Remembrances in Betty's name may be made to St. Luke Catholic Parish in Shoreline and the American Stroke Association.
