Olive Durman

Olive was born on a December day in a small farming town in Minnesota, the sixth of eight children. She helped her mother with the household chores, but thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her father milking the cows, and riding on a horse or tractor as he plowed and harvested crops. As a child, she liked to ice skate on nearby ponds and play softball. In 4H, she learned to make bread with a dab of this, a pinch of that and enough flour until it looked right – cooking habits that worked for a lifetime.

Olive graduated from high school in 1939, and went on to receive her teaching degree from Morehead State College.She taught elementary school for several years in Minnesota, Idaho, and Colorado. She also worked at the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park one summer.

Olive moved to Idaho to live with her sister and continue her teaching. She met her future husband when he was visiting his uncle in Idaho on his way home from serving during WWII. Olive and Ray returned to Colorado where they married shortly after the war ended. Olive taught school until their children were born, when she became a full time mother and homemaker. Once her own kids were in school, she continued to show her love for children by working at a preschool for several years.

Faith, Family, and Friends. These were always the priorities for Olive. She loved the Lord, and was devoted to her church, singing in the church choir for several years. Olive wanted to ensure that her kids knew their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She took her four young children on a 2 day train trip to Minnesota for several years, toting kids, diapers, snacks, toys, and suitcases by herself. Olive treasured her grandkids, attending countless games, family picnics and dinners, and making unique personalized birthday cakes for each one. She loved any opportunity to spend time with her friends. Meeting with friends and family usually involved some type of food. Olive could always be counted on to bring some type of home made goodies – desserts were her specialty! She had a generous, compassionate, caring heart, and a positive attitude no matter what difficulties came her way.

Olive is survived by her four children; Diana, Sherri (Craig), Del, and Vera (Bob) and her three grandchildren, Katie, Robby, and Jens. She is also survived by her sister Shirley (Norman) and her brother Basil (Senora), as well as several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Abundant Grace Fellowship Church, 4535 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 or a charitable organization of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Woods Chapel, Golden, CO.