Some of our most recent losses not limited to include Clara Dickerson, Richard Braun, Meroe Kaericher and Olive Conant.
To assist us developing a list of those who joined in the work or support of the Salem Area Historical Society, please contact us at Salem_Area_HS@yahoo.com
Olive A. Conant
(March 16, 1913 - September 28, 2008)
Olive Anne Conant, age 95, passed away at Heartland Health Care Center, Ann Arbor, MI, on Sunday, September 28 after suffering a stroke in late August. She was born on March 16, 1913 in Mankato, Minnesota, one of five children of Bruno and Catherine Anna Neubert. She married Herbert Eugene Conant of Denton, Michigan on June 25, 1940 who preceded her in death, as well as her son-in-law Jim Shake, sisters Madeline and June, brother Raymond.
She is survived by her sister Lucille Baker of Canton, Michigan, four children, John Roger Conant and Cynthia Anne Shake, both of Plymouth, Michigan, James Denton Conant of Sacramento, California and Bruce Paul Conant of Juneau, Alaska. Also surviving are her two granddaughters Tamara Lynn Conant (partner Adam Buckfelder) of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Colleen Marie Conant (husband Juan Jose Lopez Torres) of Redlands, California, also many nieces and nephews.
In 1930, the Neubert family relocated from Mankato to Michigan to find work at the beginning of the Great Depression. In 1942, she and Herbert moved their State historic (1833) John Wesley Conant house to its present location on Napier Road near Plymouth, Michigan because its original location was appropriated for the Willow Run Bomber Plant to help in the World War II effort. Recently the entire farm was granted a Conservation Easement and was approved as a Washtenaw County historic site.
Olive and Herbert raised their family on the farm. They raised chickens for eggs, vegetables, and baking goods for sale at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market for many years. Olive served as part time Market Master there with Herbert in the early 1970s. She enjoyed collecting baskets, dishes and other antiques for their historic home. She was active in the Salem Historical Society, Ypsilanti Seniors, Michigan Botanical Club and Michigan Herb Society, 4-H and the St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church in Plymouth for many years. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Peters Lutheran Church, St. Jude Hospital or the Salvation Army and would be appreciated by the family.
Olive had a long, healthy and productive life and will be fondly remembered by her loving family and many friends and neighbors.
Visitation was on October 2, 2008. A private ceremony at the Denton Cemetery was onFriday, October 3rd. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, October 4th at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1343 Penniman Ave., Plymouth, MI 48170.
