Mary Ida Oliver

Mary Ida Oliver passed away peacefully on June 13, 2021, after living 95 exceptional years.

Mary Ida was born in Sopris, Colorado on April 22, 1926, the second child of James and Rosalie Buccola. She was literally a “coal miner’s daughter”, and shared a loving home with her parents and four sisters.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1943, Mary Ida and her sister, Rose Lillian, made a trip to visit relatives in southern California. During this time, she meet a soon-to-be WW II pilot, Bud Oliver. Like most people, Bud saw something special in Mary Ida, and on February 8, 1944, he proposed before leaving for duty in the South Pacific. Mary Ida helped in the war effort by selling war bonds, serving as “Rosie the UNriveter” (yes, she took them apart!) and returning to Sopris to teach first grade.

Soon after his return, Mary Ida and Bud were married on her twentieth birthday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Trinidad, Colorado. Their wedded journey lasted 73 years, 4 months and 8 days; this union still serves as an inspiration to all those who knew of their devoted love.

Mary Ida and Bud started married life in Glendive, Montana, and later moved to Billings, and Sidney, Montana; then Cheyenne, Wyoming. During these years they were blessed with five children. In 1969, they moved to Northglenn, Colorado, where Mary Ida spent her final 52 years. No matter where she lived, Mary Ida was a proud Coloradan and loved the natural beauty of her home state.

Mary Ida’s early career included teaching, with the first Montana location being a one-room schoolhouse where she taught children of all ages. Through the years Mary Ida’s lifelong love of numbers continued to grow and led her to a career in bookkeeping, tax preparation and finally as an Office Manager for H&R Block. The mini-computer in her mind continuously processed birthdays, household budgets, important dates and personal formulas – When she offered a number, it was hard to doubt it was correct!

She was a devout Catholic with a special affinity to the Virgin Mary. She and Bud were founding members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Northglenn. Mary Ida was a long-time member of the church’s Social Concerns Committee, served as an Eucharistic Minister and was active in the Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary. As the Oliver family matriarch, Mary Ida was faced with many difficult situations and always counted on God and her inner strength to keep her family bonded.

Mary Ida showed unwavering support of her children and grandchildren and was always present at recitals, school activities, and sporting events. She also volunteered extensively in the community. She was a social person who enjoyed playing bridge, camping, attending Broadway plays, dancing, spending time with friends, and following the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies. Mary Ida loved music and she shared that passion with her entire family.

Mary Ida and Bud enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 of the United States as well as many foreign countries. Her favorites included the Holy Land, because of her Christian devotion; Italy, because of their ancestry; the British Isles (especially the Irish pubs); and cruising the world.

Mary Ida Oliver is survived by her sister, Betty Blasi; her children; Kenneth Oliver, Yvonne Yetzer (William Yetzer), Cheryl Oliver, Donna Oliver (Curtis Schenck), John Oliver (Kim Oliver); grandchildren Matthew Yetzer (Laurie Yetzer), Patrick Yetzer (Cathleen Yetzer), Andrea Yetzer, Bryan Fuller (Missy Fuller), Amanda Chase (Jonathan Chase); great-grandchildren Olivia Yetzer and Rhys Fuller; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Ida’s life will be celebrated on Friday, June 25, 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11385 Grant Dr., Northglenn, Colorado. The service will begin with recitation of the Rosary at 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Please join her family after the Mass in the Parish Center for lunch and sharing fond memories of Mary Ida. The family requests that COVID guidelines be followed. Private interment will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, where she will be laid to rest with her beloved Bud in a location befitting for their love and service to our country.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Mary Ida’s name to the Widows Program, c/o Michele Garneau, 12911 Grant Circle West, Unit A, Thornton, Colorado 80241.

Mary Ida was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, delighted great-grandmother, and a caring friend. She will be missed, but we take comfort in knowing she is again with her soulmate, Bud, and they are dancing in heaven.

Please share memories of Mary Ida and condolences with her family by visiting the Tribute Wall.