Marilyn G. Olm, Wife of Fairhaven Senior Services Founding Director, Dies at 93

Marilyn Olm

Marilyn G. Olm, 93, wife of Fairhaven Senior Services Founding Director the Rev. Carroll Olm, died Wednesday (Oct. 9) at the age of 93.

The Whitewater, Wis., resident was born May 19, 1925, in Menno, S.D., to Frederick and Mabel (Christopherson) Rittershaus. In 1947, she graduated from Lakeland College with a B.A. in Music and German, after which she received voice training at the New York Metropolitan Opera. She was recruited by the renowned Westminster Choir in Princeton, N.J., and spent much of her life as a featured soloist at churches and other concerts.

On June 15, 1948, she married the love of her life, Carroll Olm. Carroll Olm was ordained into Christian ministry the year after their marriage, and called to become the founding director of CHHSM member Fairhaven in 1960, where he served for 29 years. This past June, the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Friends and family called Marilyn one of the kindest, most selfless people you could ever meet: Marilyn infused her love into everyone she met, and everything she did. Her life was devoted to her family, friends, church, and the Fairhaven ministry.

She is survived by her husband, Carroll; her children: Mark (Germaine) Olm, Elizabeth (Steven) Eberhardt, and James Olm; grandchildren: Daniel Eberhardt, Leah Olm, Erin Hageman, Christopher Olm, Rachel Olm, Chelsea Olm, and Jameson Olm; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Harmony Hageman.

A memorial service was held at Fairhaven Senior Services on Oct. 14. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Fairhaven or UCC-related Lakeland University (formerly College).

For more information, contact the Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater, Wis.