Obituary of Marian Yvonne Smith

Marian Yvonne (Olson) Smith, age 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at her home in Olsburg, Kansas, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born March 4, 1933 on the family farm southeast of Olsburg, the daughter of John Edward and Edith Alvina (Lindquist) Olson. Marian attended the Olsburg United Methodist Church and Adam’s Peak grade school. She loved growing up on the farm and spending time outside, riding her horse and bringing the cows home from the pasture. Her family raised a large garden in the summer and she helped her mother can produce from the garden and orchard. Marian attended Olsburg High School. During her sophomore year her parents moved to her uncle’s farm one mile west of Olsburg. She graduated in 1950 and was president of her senior class and editor of her high school yearbook. She also played basketball and participated in the school play. Following graduation she worked as a clerk at the Norton Rexall Drug Store and later at Skaggs Motor Co., both in Manhattan. On June 22, 1952 Marian was united in marriage to Loyd Delbert Burklund at the Olsburg Lutheran Church. They made their home in Olsburg, where Marian was a devoted housewife and mother to their four children, twin sons Kevin and Kirby and daughters Debbie and Kristi. Delbert and Marian were custodians at the Olsburg Lutheran Church for several years, and their children would explore every nook and cranny in the church while their parents cleaned. Family vacations were spent fishing with Delbert’s parents in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Marian worked part time as a clerk at the Olsburg Post Office and a teller at the Union State Bank, and served as Olsburg city clerk for several years. In 1986, she was named Olsburg postmaster. She retired in 1992 after more than 36 years of employment with the United States Postal Service. Delbert preceded her in death on August 28, 1967. On October 11, 1972 she was united in marriage to Harold Vincent Smith at the Olsburg Lutheran Church. He survives of the home. During their 43 years of marriage H.V. and Marian enjoyed traveling and camping with family and friends. Their travels took them to 48 states. After their retirements they spent several winters in Texas, living in their camper. They also enjoyed many chartered bus tours. Marian especially loved trips to the Rocky Mountains, New England in the fall, Hawaii and Alaska. She loved nature and sitting with her husband on the back deck of their home, watching hummingbirds, squirrels and other wildlife that visited the many feeders they had set up. Marian enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s school, athletic and church events. She looked forward to their special events, especially weddings and the birth of great-grandchildren, and to holidays and family occasions. She said many times that family was her greatest source of pride and joy. She was an avid reader and loved working on crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She loved playing board games with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed rides in the country and reminiscing about the past. Marian was a member of the Olsburg Lutheran Church and the Olsburg American Legion Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Delbert, her parents and her sister, Lois Westling. Marian is survived by her husband, H.V., of the home in Olsburg; two sons, Kevin Burklund of Olsburg and Kirby Burklund and wife Shelly of Olsburg; two daughters, Debbie Hagenmaier and husband Mike of Randolph and Kristi Fronce and husband Mark of Olsburg; four stepchildren, Roberta Parker and husband Gary of Junction City, Jim Smith and wife Dorie of Westmoreland, Jon Smith and wife Charlie of Tehachapi, California and Cindy Smith and friend Robert Staley of Onaga; 24 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and two great-grandchildren on the way. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, September 21, 2015 at the Olsburg Lutheran Church with Rev. Keith Wiens officiating. Respect calls may be made anytime Sunday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:00 P.M. Sunday. Burial will be in the Olsburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Olsburg Lutheran Church or Manhattan Homecare and Hospice and left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.