Obituary for Juanita Blystone (Oleson)
Juanita Oleson Blystone passed away on February 23, 2022, at Green Acres Assisted Living in Mount Pleasant, MI. She was born on August 7, 1924 in Detroit, daughter of James and Anastasia Oleson, and graduated from Ypsilanti High School in 1941. She attended Ypsilanti Normal College, now Eastern Michigan University. In 1944 she married Ronald Blystone at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ypsilanti. He preceded her in death in 1975. She is survived by three children, Lynn (Bruce) Phenicie of Mattawan, Michigan; Gail (Thomas) Moore of Mount Pleasant; and Mark (Linda) Blystone of Adrian, Michigan; and Ronald Schneider, her adopted “son” of Mount Pleasant. Juanita is also survived by five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and a niece, Faith Ball. Her son, Michael Blystone, preceded her in death in 1975, and she was also preceded in death by her sister, Delores Sharp, and brother, James Oleson.
While living on the farm near Ypsilanti, Juanita was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish where she was a member of the Altar Society, a Eucharistic minister, and a founding member of the Merry Widows Club. She was also a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout leader, and a docent at the Historical Museum in Ypsilanti. She retired from the Milan Post Office in 1987.
In 1990 Juanita moved to Tecumseh and was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. There she served as a member of the Altar Society and the pastoral council for many years. She volunteered at Herrick Hospital and was a life member of the Tri-County Sportsman’s Club.
In 2005 Juanita moved to Mount Pleasant. She was a member of the Central Michigan University Women’s Bridge Club, a member of the General Federated Women’s Book Club, and a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish in Shepherd, Michigan. She enjoyed playing bridge and other card games and spent many hours with friends at the Isabella County Commission on Aging. She was a wonderful hostess and family gatherings usually happened at “Grandma’s.” She also enjoyed playing golf, especially with her good friend Frank Block.
Juanita’s greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Juanita was a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She is greatly missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Shepherd on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the Church at 9:30 a.m. before the Mass. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Cremation has taken place. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Green Acres Assisted Living for the loving care she received while there.
While living on the farm near Ypsilanti, Juanita was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish where she was a member of the Altar Society, a Eucharistic minister, and a founding member of the Merry Widows Club. She was also a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout leader, and a docent at the Historical Museum in Ypsilanti. She retired from the Milan Post Office in 1987.
In 1990 Juanita moved to Tecumseh and was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. There she served as a member of the Altar Society and the pastoral council for many years. She volunteered at Herrick Hospital and was a life member of the Tri-County Sportsman’s Club.
In 2005 Juanita moved to Mount Pleasant. She was a member of the Central Michigan University Women’s Bridge Club, a member of the General Federated Women’s Book Club, and a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish in Shepherd, Michigan. She enjoyed playing bridge and other card games and spent many hours with friends at the Isabella County Commission on Aging. She was a wonderful hostess and family gatherings usually happened at “Grandma’s.” She also enjoyed playing golf, especially with her good friend Frank Block.
Juanita’s greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Juanita was a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She is greatly missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Shepherd on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the Church at 9:30 a.m. before the Mass. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Cremation has taken place. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Green Acres Assisted Living for the loving care she received while there.