Connie Marie Ward

Connie Marie Ward February 11, 1960 – June 8, 2025 Connie Marie Ward died on June 8th, 2025, peacefully at home surrounded by family after a brave battle with glioblastoma. She was born February 11, 1960 in Lebanon, Oregon to Marie and Eldon Olson. Her childhood was spent in the Sandridge area, attending Sandridge School, then later Lebanon High School. After high school, she attended George Fox University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science, Biology. She made many friends and had adventures along the way, working at A & W restaurant in Lebanon, remote fishing camps in Alaska in summers off of college, and then working as a manual and equipment operator in the logging industry. She met her husband Mark through mutual acquaintances and they married on June 25, 1983. After marriage, they welcomed 5 children and started their own trucking and logging business. Connie had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and was active and engaged in ministry at Sodaville Evangelical Church. She spent countless hours planning and serving in children's ministry at church, and also with local elementary schools. Connie was very involved in each of her kid's lives, homeschooling them, sharing and participating in their love of animals, driving them to jobs, 4-H and OHSET. Connie enjoyed spending time working outside in her garden and caring for her animals. Her favorite pastimes were camping and riding atv's with family and friends and vacations with family. She especially enjoyed trips to Hawaii in recent years. Her favorite job in life, which started 12 years ago, was being a grandma. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren and was incredibly involved in each of their lives, babysitting, attending all their school and church events, parties and just enjoying being around them. Connie is survived by her husband, Mark, children Jessica Brubaker (Jeff) of Scio, Ryan (Marissa) Ward of Lebanon, Kristen Leatherman (Reese) of Halsey, Ellie (Nick) Kennison of Lebanon and Courtney Ward of Lebanon, 14 grandchildren, Isabelle, Annie and Anderson Brubaker, Sawyer and Walker Ward, Wayne, Tyler, Jason, Owen and Aaron Leatherman, Rhett, Clancy, Evelyn and Russell Kennison, mother-in-law, Eilene Ward of Lebanon, sister Juanita Presley of Lebanon, brothers Jerry Olson of Heppner, John "Skip" Olson of Lebanon, William "Bill" Olson of Salem and brother-in-law Bill Doyle of Albany. She was preceded in death by dad, Eldon Olson, mom Marie Olson, sister Jennie Doyle and father-in-law Robert Ward. All are welcome to a celebration of life 11:30 am, Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Sodaville Evangelical Church. A private burial will be held at Sandridge Cemetery. Donations in memory of Connie can be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship.