Marlyn L. Olds

Marlyn Olds knew how to enjoy life as well as anyone. Whether it was dancing, boating, swimming or skiing, Marlyn always lived her life to the fullest. Marlyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and a wonderful lady with a wonderful life. She was blessed with much, just as we were so blessed to have known her. Marlyns story began on a warm spring day in 1932, as summer quickly approached in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were dark days in this country, during the terrible storm of the Great Depression, which affected so many American families. Amid those dire times, Churchill and Gladys (Hazlet) Linkfield found a reason to celebrate on June 3, 1932, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Marlyn. Marlyn was the first of the couples two children, and was joined by her little brother Jim in 1934. Her father worked as an insurance salesman, while her mother cared for the kids and their Grand Rapids home, located at 3265 Townsend Avenue. Marlyn attended North Park Elementary School, where she made a dear, lifelong friend in Georgia (Gunnet) Holman, and they remained close their entire lives. Marlyn made great friends everywhere she went, though, being the fun-loving young girl she was. Eventually she began attending Creston High School, where she became active in the Drama Club, as well as Jobs Daughters, a Masonic organization for young women. In the summertime, Marlyn and her family loved heading up north to Newaygo, where they had a beautiful cottage getaway on Pickerel Lake. As soon as Friday night came, the family would pack up the car and head up to the cottage for a weekend filled with swimming, boating, and quality family time. When Marlyn was 15, she met a handsome young boy named Ellery Olds, whose family also had a cottage, on the other side of Pickerel Lake. The sparks flew between them, and a budding romance blossomed. Marlyn and Ellery continued dating all through high school, and after she graduated in 1950. She then headed off to Detroit to study nursing, and their romance continued then, too. Ellery soon entered the Navy, and the happy couple was married on April 10, 1953, at the North Park Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, the beginning of a beautiful marriage. The newlyweds enjoyed a brief honeymoon on the East Coast, before parting ways once again, Maryln back to school, and Ellery back to the service. After she graduated from nursing school later in 1953, she joined Ellery on his naval base in San Diego, California. Her husband was discharged later the next year, and the young couple left southern California for the sandy shores of Muskegon, Michigan. They bought a lovely little home at 829 Center Street, on the same day they bought all their furniture and a new car, too! The car and the furniture eventually would be replaced, but they lived in that home for the next 53 years! While her husband went to work for Viking Foods, Marlyn found work at the hospital and then eventually at the doctors office of Folsom & Swenson. Soon enough, however, shed have her hands more than full. In 1955, the couple celebrated the birth of twins, Sandy and Debby! Kerry followed in 1957, and Dan rounded out the happy family in 1961. The Olds were a very close, tight-knit family, and they did much together over the years, especially spending time at Pickerel Lake together. It was such a special place for Marlyn and Ellery, and became so for their kids, as well. Marlyn and Ellery were very friendly, fun-loving people, and made many close friends over the years. They were especially close with the Huizengas, and the two families did almost everything together over the years, from camping, to hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, playing cards, and laughing lots of laughing. Marlyn and Lois Huizenga loved playing golf together, too, and always enjoyed their Orange Drivers. The couples traveled together, too, and even vacationed in Mexico a few times. Marlyn was such a fun-loving woman, who always knew how to enjoy life to the fullest. She was a fun, energetic lady, who loved to play cards and laugh with her friends, enjoying every moment, and every memory. She also had a world-class sweet tooth, too! She loved chocolate, and never missed a chance to stop at Jones Ice Cream in Baldwin, either. As dear as her friends were to Marlyn, family was always foremost in her life. In 1975, her beloved father sadly died, and being Daddys girl, she took the news very hard. Her mother came to live with them, though she passed away two years later, in 1977. In 1978, Marlyn was overjoyed at the sight of her very first grandchild, Ryan. He was soon followed by Nick, Chad, Tara, Sara, Kyle, Colin, Jackie, Brendan, and Carolyn, and she was exceptionally close to each and every one of them. When her kids had all gotten out on their own, Marlyn went back to work, taking a position with Dr. MacDonald in Muskegon. She worked there for 12 years, from 1983-1994, when she finally retired. She found plenty to keep her busy, of course, and loved being surrounded by her family and friends at the lake. In 2002, Marlyn was diagnosed with cancer, which she bravely battled with the same vibrancy she lived her life with. In 2006, Marlyn and Ellery sold their Muskegon home, moving to their cottage in Newaygo fulltime. It was the place where Marlyn always took greatest comfort, and the place where their love began. In 2007, Marlyn suffered a stroke, and through her own determination, she recovered. However, nine months later she had several more strokes. She sadly died on July 14, 2008, at the age of 76. Marlyn was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of family, friendship and fond memories. Marlyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, who indeed enjoyed a beautiful life. She enjoyed sharing it with the people around her even more. She will be so greatly missed. Marlyn is survived by her husband, Ellery; son, Dan Olds of Whitehall; 3 daughters, Debra (Jim) Greene of Rogers City, MI, Sandra (Hugh) Neville of North Muskegon, Kerry (Dave) Scripps of Hesperia; 10 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; brother, Jim (Pat) Linkfield of Grand Rapids; several nieces & nephews. Services are scheduled for Thursday, July 17, 2008, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel with Rev. Julie Winklepleck officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Vikings Scholarship Fund or Immanuel Lutheran Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo, or to sign the online guestbook.