Obituary of Monyeen Ollenberger

Monyeen Ollenberger, a life long resident of the Peace River Country passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2016 in Dawson Creek at the age of 83 years. Monyeen was born to John and Arthetta Yaeger on December 17, 1932. She was to have been named Monyeen Mary Yaeger but when John went to have her birth registered, he forgot the "Mary" so she was only registered as Monyeen. At the time of Monyeen's birth, her father was 57 years old. She spent much of her childhood time with her father and her brother, Danny. Monyeen attended Coleman Creek Elementary School from the ages of 6 to 13. She would tell stories of getting to school with a horse and buggy, and rocks heated up to help keep warm on the ride to school. From ages 13 to 17, she attended Notre Dame Roman Catholic School in Dawson Creek and boarded at the school dorms. Monyeen met Frank Ollenberger and married on September 1, 1952. They spent their early married years in Fort Nelson, where their first daughter, Marlene, was born. From Fort Nelson, they moved back to the Dawson Creek area, eventually settling north of Rolla on a small farm, then in the town of Rolla in the early 1960s. After Marlene, there were three more girls, Darlene, Charlene, and Brenda, then finally a son, Calvin. Once the children were in school, Monyeen worked at St. Joseph's General Hospital (now DC Hospital) as a housekeeper. After working at the hospital, she went to work for the School District from 1969-1990, primarily at the Rolla Elementary School. When Frank died in 1989, Monyeen moved to Dawson Creek. She was in town for two years, working at the Crescent Park Elementary School. When she retired in 1992, she returned to her rural, country roots and settled in the Farmington area where she lived until 2015. She moved into Rotary Manor in July of 2015 where she lived until her passing. Monyeen loved old time country music, nature, she truly enjoyed working, whether cutting firewood, shoveling snow or painting her home to improve it. Some of her favorite things were turnips, ice cream, Scotch mints, Coca-Cola and bacon. Monyeen was predeceased by her husband Frank, her parents, her daughters Darlene and Charlene, her son-in-law Randy, and her grandson Chad. Monyeen is survived by her daughters Marlene and Brenda, and her son Calvin, as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren. A Celebration of Monyeen's Life was held on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Rolla Community Hall. Monyeen was laid to rest beside her husband Frank in the Rolla Cemetery. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Monyeen to the Alzheimer Society British Columbia 9005 Lyman Drive, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 3N1 or online alzheimer.ca Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium Celebration Of Life 2:00 pm Thursday, August 18, 2016 Rolla Community Hall 407 Street Rolla , British Columbia, Canada V0C2G0