Olivene Heyerly

Olivene Heyerly

February 22, 1916 – September 12, 2023

Olivene Heyerly was born February 22, 1916, to Ira and Mary (Boshart) Stutzman, and died in her home September 12, 2023, at the age of 107 years, 6 months, and 21 days.

Olivene was born near Wood River, Nebraska and moved to Oregon ahead of the rest of her family when she was 20. She and some of her cousins rode in the back of a farm truck with a mattress for a cushion. Joe Heyerly was the first person she met in Oregon that was not a relative. She married Joe on November 7, 1939. Together they raised three children: Robert, Connie, and Linda. They farmed in Linn County until Joe retired.

She accepted Christ when she was 16 years old and lived for him the rest of her life. She took great joy in reading her Bible; reading through the Bible at least once each year. When her eyesight began to fail, she worked to memorize as much as she could. When she could no longer read, she listened to the Bible on cassette. She wore out two sets of tapes listening over and over.

Olivene loved to quilt. She quilted with the sewing circle at her church, with her sisters, and other ladies in the community. When she could no longer see to piece the quilts, she quilted tops that others had pieced. When she could no longer see to quilt, she turned her attention to tying comforters, most of which she donated to charities. Many of the comforters were donated to Love, Inc.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years; her son, Robert; sisters, Mable Heyerly, Alverda Lehman, Marie Schweitzer, and Ruth Shank; and brothers, Rex, Hubert, Paul, Pearl, and Larry.

She is survived by daughters, Connie Rodriguez of Albany and Linda (Paul) Jacobson of Halsey; grandchildren, Cris Rodriguez, Cindy (Mark) Hovey, and Andrew Jacobson; seven great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren plus 1 coming soon; sister, Grace Martin of Garden City, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

After Joe died in 1992, Olivene sold the farm to Robert and moved to Albany. She lived alone in town from 1994 until 2004 when she sold her home and moved in with Linda and Paul. When preparing to move back to the farm in 2022, she commented that she will have come full circle.

The family would like to thank Shanti and Wendy of Evergreen Hospice for their compassion and kindness in caring for our mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee c/o of Albany Mennonite Church; Fish of Albany; and Love, Inc.

Olivene was laid to rest next to Joe at Pine Grove Cemetery. There will be a celebration of her life at Albany Mennonite Church, 3405 Kizer Ave NE, Saturday, September 30, at 10:00 a.m.