Marilyn (Sweazey) Olmstead

Marilyn Olmstead, devoted and loving wife and mother, friend and hostess, passed away peacefully at Lutheran Community Home surrounded by family and friends in Seymour, Indiana on Thursday. She was 97.

She was born on September 11, 1925 in Seymour, Indiana to Albert and Frances Sweazey, Marilyn and her twin sister Carolyn were the youngest of the six Sweazey girls.

She grew up with close family bonds, organizing home-spun theatrical and musical performances for family and friends in their home. The sisters never hesitated to break out in silly songs they knew all their lives. Marilyn hunted and fished with her dad and was an excellent marksman with her rifle. She spent summers as a lifeguard at the city pool, and played sports whenever she had the chance. She worked at Freeman Field and Camp Atterbury during WWII, as a bank teller after the war and a homemaker throughout her life.

In 1960, Marilyn married Jim Olmstead, a Jackson County conservation officer and the couple had a daughter, Ellen Kay.

Throughout her life, Marilyn spent time cherishing family and friends, caring for animals in need, and enjoying the world around her. She loved to travel on cruises and to state and national parks. She was well known as being a fabulous hostess and the life of the parties. Best known for her Indy 500 parties in May, a 50-year tradition, Marilyn was sure to be decked out for the day in checker-themed outfits and loved singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” and passing out the trophies.

Marilyn loved card games, entertaining others, and good-natured hijinks. She was renowned for her indomitable spirit, ready hugs, and uncanny ability to create the proverbial sunshine out of a rainy day. She remained active in the First United Methodist Church until her passing. She treated everyone like they were family and loved unconditionally.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her siblings, Skip Sweazey, Jane Bulleit, Alberta Trimpe, Jeanette Baur and twin sister Carolyn Sweazey. She is survived by her daughter, Ellen, grandson Stefan Deaton, and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. Marilyn also leaves behind many close friends, some of whom also considered her family and referred to her as ‘mom’ or ‘Aunt Marilyn.’

As tribute, Marilyn’s family suggests that well-wishers and loved ones pass on an unexpected act of kindness to someone in need.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Christensen Family Funeral Home in Seymour, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery.

Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.christensenfamilyfuneral.com.

Daniel and Betsy Christensen have been entrusted with the arrangements.