MaryAnn Mizga

MaryAnn Mizga was a passionate, caring, determined woman, who dedicated her life to her family and helping others. She purposely looked for ways to give to others, always thinking of their needs before her own. Above all, MaryAnn loved to be surrounded by her family, and loved spending her time being a wife, mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life immeasurable joy.

The early 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting baseball records, and the first Miss America was crowned. But for most people living in the farming community of Ovid Township, Michigan, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. Their lives centered around raising their families and earning a living. This was the life of George and Leonore (Wilmot) Olson. The Olsons owned a farm in Ovid Township, where they raised dairy cows, chickens and various crops. In the fall of 1922, the couple was completing their harvest season, but also preparing for the arrival of their first child. On October 31, 1922, George and Leonore delighted in welcoming the birth of their beautiful daughter, MaryAnn. She was joined a couple years later by her brother, Jimmy, who completed the Olson household.

Along with her brother, MaryAnn grew up with an appreciation for hard work. There were always chores to be done around the farm, and the family had a very large garden that she helped cultivate. While her father tended to farming, her mother was a teacher in their country school. MaryAnn attended Shepardsville School, where her outgoing and friendly nature won her many friends. Once in Ovid High School, MaryAnn was able to pursue her love of sewing, taking home economics classes, and her love for music, playing clarinet in the school’s marching band. She also worked after school at Jenk’s Drug Store.

Shortly after high school, MaryAnn’s life took a new direction when she met Frank Mizga at a neighborhood baseball game. The two began dating and it wasn’t long before they knew they were meant to be together. Hopelessly in love, MaryAnn and Frank were happily married on June 1, 1941, at her parents’ home, and then went up north for a short honeymoon, since Frank had pneumonia and couldn’t go far. During the first 4 ½ years of their marriage, the newlyweds lived in Ann Arbor, where Frank underwent several surgeries for various health problems at the University of Michigan Hospital. During this time, MaryAnn worked at Kelsey-Hayes Factory at Willow Run, while also helping Frank to recover. In 1945, the couple was finally able to move back near their family, and settled into their own 60-acre farm, where they raised lambs, cows and many chickens. With lots of chickens comes lots of eggs, and MaryAnn and Frank sold and delivered them to people in the community.

MaryAnn was a devoted wife, and loving mother of two beautiful daughters, Marsha and Missy. Family always came first in her heart, and there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them. Time together as a family was always important so MaryAnn and the girls often accompanied Frank when he went fishing, and during the summer, they enjoyed vacations to places like Florida, Mammoth Cave, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Once her daughters were in high school, MaryAnn went to work at Julie K Clothing Store. Being a very talented seamstress, the store was a great place for inspiration for MaryAnn’s own creations, of which she once entered into a sewing contest and won! For over 35 years, MaryAnn also supplemented the family’s income selling Shaklee products, and traveled to several of its conferences throughout the U.S.

Although MaryAnn’s happiest moments involved the time that she spent with her husband and daughters, she also found great satisfaction volunteering in her community as a fundraiser for various charities, and being involved with the Acme Club in Ovid. MaryAnn was also a member of the United Church of Ovid, and the Ovid Historical Society. After having an empty nest, MaryAnn and Frank enjoyed time together, playing cards and traveling. MaryAnn had a cat named Bear Cat, who she dearly loved and kept her company for 22 years. She was a very proud grandmother too, and MaryAnn poured much love into her relationships with her grandsons, and great grandchildren, and enjoyed their company on short trips whenever possible.

Although MaryAnn’s life was happy, it was also marked by great sorrow. MaryAnn lost her beloved husband Frank on February 26, 1996, after 54 wonderful years together. Strong and very independent, MaryAnn carried on and found great comfort in being with her family. Since the 1960s, when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, MaryAnn lived with minor symptoms as well as other health issues. She was never one to ask “why” or complain, but always maintained an unbreakable spirit. By Labor Day 2009, MaryAnn suffered with congestive heart failure and her health began to decline. With the loving care of her family, she was able to stay at home, where she died peacefully on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

MaryAnn will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered for her kind and generous nature as well as her deep commitment to her family.

MaryAnn is survived by her daughters, Marsha (Kenneth) Putnam of Elsie, and Missy (Steve Robedeau) Rouse of Holt. Also surviving is her brother, James Olson; sister-in-law, Joyce Mizga; grandchildren, Jason (Tanya) Rouse, Chris (Dawn) Putnam; great grandchildren, John and Marah Putnam, Aidan and Kami Rouse; special friend, John Ladiski; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and special neighbors. MaryAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at The Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak Street, Ovid, MI with Pastor Robert Prange officiating, and burial immediately following at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, October 24, from 5-8 p.m. and Monday, October 25, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions be made to Ovid Public Library or W.O.E.S. radio station. Please visit MaryAnn’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.