Mary "Jeannie" Jean Olding

Mary Jean Olding "Jeannie" passed away peacefully on July 30, 2024 after spending days surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She bravely battled cancer for two years.  Born on July 6,1948 to parents Robert and Helen (Andrews) Schloss, Jeannie's early years framed a life that would be anchored in her love of family. Jeannie married Bill Olding on May 25, 1968. She is survived by her son Billy Olding, his wife, Nikki and their son Alex; her son Bryan Olding, his wife, Sara and their children Grace, Genevieve, and CJ; her siblings Carol Schloss, Dan Schloss, his wife, Becky, and Sherri Clay and her husband, Brent. 

Jeannie graduated from Sidney High School in 1966 and spent her life working in Sidney. She worked for Monarch, Super X Drug Store, Sidney Floors, and eventually owned her own Curves Fitness Club for Women. While she worked most of her life, her life's work was the relationships she built with others. She moved through the world with an open heart and a helping hand to all who crossed her path. An active member of Sidney First Church of the Nazarene, Jeannie was beloved by the congregation and taught children's Bible school for many years. 

Jeannie thrived on simple pleasures and had little use for materialistic things. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters, working in her yard, watching basketball games, and playing cards, but nothing came close to the joy she found in watching her grandchildren do anything. Grandma Jean was first to arrive in school colors at a soccer game, football game, basketball game or Christmas concert with a giant smile. From the moment she became a grandmother, she planned each week around spending time with her grandchildren. As young adults, her grandchildren keenly recognize that blessing.

Jeannie's legacy lives in the light she shared with others. She was the mother that everyone needs and the grandmother that everyone wants. She walked through the world with unwavering faith in Jesus and unrelenting love for the people who surrounded her whether it be at church, at work, or if you were lucky enough- in her family.

A service to celebrate Jeannie's life will be held on Saturday, August 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Sidney First Church of the Nazarene. A reception at the church to visit with family will follow; lunch is provided.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mercy Mission House or to the First Church of the Nazarene to honor Jeannie's memory.

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