Lorelei "Skip" Olmsted

On August 3, 1957, she married Melford Eldon Olmsted. Together they raised six children and shared many years of life and work. In 1978, Skip and her family moved to Florida, where they maintained their farm and garden for many years. She was a farmer, gardener, and homemaker, devoting her life to caring for her family, animals, and land.

Skip had a lifelong love of animals. From childhood through her later years, animals were a central part of her life. As a young person, she spent every possible moment with horses, and even after a serious childhood accident involving one, her love and respect for animals only deepened. Over the years, she kept many unusual pets, including prairie dogs and squirrels. Later in life, she was especially devoted to her Blue Crown Conure, Charlie Bird, who was her constant companion and brought her great comfort until his passing in July 2025.

She was also well known for her love of cacti. Skip maintained greenhouses filled with them and planted countless varieties throughout her yard, one year counting over a thousand. Visitors quickly learned to watch their step to avoid cactus thorns.

A woman of deep faith, Skip was a devoted member of Dixie Highway Baptist Church. She loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and lived her life grounded in prayer. She often spoke of how God protected and guided her, sharing stories of answered prayers and moments when she felt His presence in her life. Prayer was central to everything she did, from major life events to the smallest daily tasks.

In quieter moments, Skip enjoyed “painting” in her coloring books, especially those featuring plants and animals. She took great care in choosing colors to bring each picture to life exactly as she envisioned. She often said she wanted to give her completed books to family and friends, a wish her family is honoring.

Skip was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melford Eldon Olmsted, in 2012; her son, David, in 1982; her sister, Pauline “Toodie” Havens; and her beloved bird, Charlie.

She is survived by her children: Allen Olmsted, Darlene Sabins (Walter “Junior”), Tammy Olmsted, Melford Olmsted, and Lucy Drake (Darrell); her brother, Mert Franklin “Butch”; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, located at 2198 K-Ville Ave, Auburndale, Florida, 33823, on December 20, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.

The funeral service will follow at the same location, beginning at 1:00 pm.

Skip will be laid to rest at Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens.