Jeanne Oliver

April 22, 1935 - March 4, 2022

Visitation: Visitation with family present will be held one hour prior to the funeral Mass. 

Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held to celebrate her life at St. Dominic Catholic Church on Friday, March 11th, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

Jeanne Magdalen (Schwebach) Oliver, 86, of Canton, SD answered an important call at 12:32 PM on Friday, March 4th, 2022.  An offer of sorts, that she could not refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. This offer comes with a glorious sign-on bonus, a reunion with the love of her life, and many other family and friends she has not seen in a long time.

Jeanne was born on April 22, 1935, in Remsen, IA, the eldest child of John and Evelyn (Deubel) Schwebach. She grew up in Sioux City, IA and graduated from Heelan High School.

She was introduced to Edward Bruce Oliver on a blind date by a mutual friend and often talked about waiting to see Dad’s ’41 Studebaker climbing up Prospect Hill near her parent’s home on the west side to pick her up for a date of dancing, roller skating, or a picnic lunch at Stone State Park. They were married on June 30th, 1956 at St. Boniface Church in Sioux City. A beautiful sunny Saturday morning service at 7:45 AM. Shortly after their wedding, Edward left for military service. Jeanne worked various jobs to keep herself busy and to help provide for her parents. She also enjoyed traveling to the Oliver farm near Canton, SD and staying with her in-laws, Bruce & Jennie Oliver – she would often claim this is where she was taught the art of cooking and baking. Eventually, she was able to move with Edward, where the two of them resided in El Paso and Palestine, TX until his discharge.

Jeanne had one dream. She wanted to be a mother. After 8 years of working with Catholic Family Services, they were able to adopt their first child. She was a devoted and loving mother to Kimberly Christine, Christopher Edward, and Victoria Lynn. Her life was one of service to taking care of her children. She loved to give rather than receive. If you knew Jeanne, you knew love.  Amazing potato salad. And banana bread.

As much as Jeanne was devoted to her life as a wife and mother, she was completely devoted to Jesus. She was an active member of Christ the King parish, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, the Charismatic and Right to Life Movements in Sioux Falls, and later went through four years of training with Edward as part of his deaconate training. She served alongside him as he was an Ordained Deacon for 20 years at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Canton, SD.

Jeanne’s greatest joy was being a grandma. She insisted on healthy snacks and clean plates before desserts. And there was no escaping the warm soapy washcloth before you got up from the table! Her grandchildren will forever remember hearing “I love you with all my heart”, “Peek-a-boo! I love you!’, “Yummy yummy for the tummy”, and “There will never be another like me”.  And she was right.

She attended countless choir concerts, graduations, confirmations, dance recitals, birthday parties, football games and track meets. Cooking and baking was one of her many talents she shared with those she loved. Each of the grandkids recall their fondest memories of Grandma included Thanksgiving meals and watching her ‘dig in the turkey’,  her homemade stuffing (hands down the best ever), mashed potatoes, strawberry pretzel salad, pumpkin pies and fudge brownies. Tater Tot casserole is not properly made unless all tater tots are arranged symmetrically and uniformly – an inherited trait which will continue to be passed down to each generation.

Jeanne was kind and humble. Caring and gracious. Friend to everyone. If she told you she would pray for you, a handwritten list found with hundreds of names verify she did indeed keep that sacred promise. Jeanne was the epitome of a faithful and loving wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held to celebrate her life at St. Dominic Catholic Church on Friday, March 11th, 2022 at 2:00 PM.  Visitation with family present will be held one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Interment at Forest Hill Cemetery will take place immediately following service.

Preceding Jeanne in death were her husband of 61 years, Edward, older twin siblings, sisters-in-law Judy Oliver and Clarice Schreurs, and nephews Curtis and Vaughn Schreurs, Nathan Larson, and countless friends.

Family left behind to miss her hugs, special surprises, clanging of pots and pans at 5 AM, snappy grapes, homemade mac & cheese, and infectious laugh are children, Kim Ober, Savage, MN; Chris (Denise), Bangor, WI; and Vicki (Daniel) Voss, Sioux Falls, SD; siblings, Keith (Jovita) and Don (Darlene) Schwebach, all of Sioux City, IA; grandchildren, Alyssa (Nate) Hardy, Burnsville, MN; Sarah Ober (Zach Kier), Woodbury, MN; Kristen Ober (Bryan Crossman) Burnsville MN; Coey Oliver (Hannah VanGenderen), Seattle, WA; Orrin (Kate) Oliver, Onalaska, WI; Rowdy Hillmer (Josh Davis) Shepard AFB; Sterling Hillmer, Brookings, SD; MaKenzie Voss (Curtis Traversie), Watertown, SD; and Casey Voss, Sioux Falls, SD; Great grandson, Landon Hardy, Burnsville, MN; in-laws, Ralph Oliver, Sioux Falls, SD; Arlyn Schreurs, Larchwood, IA; and Linda (Carl) Larson, Brookings, SD, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In honor of Jeanne’s life, we have one simple request. Just be kind. Be gracious. Be happy that Jeanne has escaped the burdens and loneliness of Alzheimer’s and has found herself again.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ava’s House, Sioux Falls, SD in Jeanne’s memory. The amazing hospice staff guided her with dignity, comfort, care and love in her final days.

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13 messages have been left

  1. Ila Torkelson on March 4, 2022 said:

    I am so sorry for your great loss of Jeanne. She was such a wonderful woman and I know she is so happy to be reunited with Ed and the many others of her family. May God give you all strength for the coming day.s/

  2. Fran Winter on March 4, 2022 said:

    Jeanne was a very loving and sweet person. So sorry for your loss.

  3. Sue Vande Kamp on March 4, 2022 said:

    I am so so very sorry to hear of Jeanne’s passing. I know first hand how wonderful she and Ed were because I was lucky enough to know and experience both of their kindness; compassion, caring and most of all humor; they always made me feel like I was “part of the family” and for that I will always be grateful! My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.

  4. Vince & Mary Ellen Leners on March 4, 2022 said:

    Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed Rest In Peace . Amen

  5. Steve/Ruth Anderson on March 4, 2022 said:

    So sorry to hear the news. Prayers for the family.

  6. Sharice Yates on March 4, 2022 said:

    To Vicki and Family,
    My deepest and most heart felt condolences on the earthly loss of your Mother, Grandmother, Mentor, Pillar, Confidant and Friend. I pray that the Holy Spirit will be your comforter during this time and a soft pillow for you to rest on.
    Sharice Yates (USAF MOM) and Family

    1. Vicki on March 5, 2022 said:

      Thank you for the lovely note, Sharice. You are such a special friend. Mother’s of Air Force sons support one another thru good and bad. ♥️

  7. Kathy De Cruz on March 5, 2022 said:

    Kim, Chris and Vickie, I am so very sorry to hear about your mom, she was such a wonderful, kind and gentle soul. Her soft gentle hand on your arm as she tells you in her soft assuring voice that everything will be fine you’ll see, will be missed by all who knew and loved her. My heart breaks for you even though I know her joy for going home overshadows that loss. My heart goes out to you.

  8. Dana Flickinger on March 5, 2022 said:

    Hello Aunt Vicki and family♡

    I am so sorry for your loss. If there is anything we can do to help during this time please let us know. She was a wonderful woman and I know how hard this must be.

    Much love for you and yours. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers♡

    1. Vicki on March 5, 2022 said:

      Thank you, sweetie! My mom and your grandma are probably having the best reunion with a cup of coffee and dessert! I will miss her dearly, but am so happy for her to be at peace. Love you all.

  9. Monsignor Charles M. Mangan on March 5, 2022 said:

    +J.M.J.+
    May the Soul of Jeanne rest in peace. I will remember her and the Olivers in prayer. May Jesus, Mary and Joseph welcome into Heaven the Soul of Jeanne and comfort all who mourn the departure of +Jeanne from this life.

  10. Gail Bauer on March 6, 2022 said:

    Dear Oliver family,
    My mom, Doris Everhart, was lucky enough to be neighbors to Ed and Jeanne in Canton. My sisters and I remember fondly what great neighbors they were and always there for our mom. Jeanne would go over to Mom’s apartment with a plate of cookies and a smile and stay for a visit. Mom still has a pillow Jeanne gave her with the words of special neighbor on it. Kind and gracious with a heart for Jesus. God Bless her memory.

  11. JIM BECKER on March 6, 2022 said:

    Jeanne’s Family:
    I fondly remember my time together in the ’70’s & 80’s w/Ed & Jeanne during our Sioux Falls RTL activities. Two wonderful, God-loving people! May each of you receive the Good Lord’s Peace & Comfort.