Olive Mulhollam 02/12/2024

Olive Ellen (Esanbock) Mulhollam joined her Lord and Savior in Heaven on Monday, February 12, 2024. Olive lived her life to the fullest even into her advanced years. Our Mom loved her children and spent many a summer on Madeline Island or at Troy beach as she loved being close to the beautiful sounds and peace of the water. She loved to laugh, be silly, travel, teach and play the piano/organ at church.
Olive Ellen was born to Roy and Ruby (Alton) Esanbock on January 21, 1931 in Gilman Township, Spring Valley WI. She was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational faith. Olive attended the Spring Valley Public Schools, graduating from high school in 1949 as the valedictorian of her senior class. Olive was united in marriage to Eugene Mulhollam at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Valley on June 9, 1951. To this union were born seven children. The couple moved to River Falls in the early 50’s. Olive went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin River Falls with a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Education.
Olive was in the Music Ministry at the Congregational church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spring Valley and St. Bridget Catholic Church in River Falls. She also accompanied the Concert Choir at UWRF. Olive loved playing piano and taught lessons in her home for many years, even to some of her children. She conducted a monthly sing along for her fellow residents at Wellhaven. Olive taught elementary school in Glenwood City, River Falls and the last 20 years of her teaching career at Prairie View in Ellsworth.
Olive loved to play cards whether it was Euchre, Bridge or Up and Down the River. Many of the kids and grandkids had the pleasure of joining in on the fun.
Travel was a large part of Olive’s life. Places she’s been are many including: Germany, Kenya, Australia, Mexico, Canada, St. Thomas and numerous US states including the momentous trips to South Dakota and Canada with all 7 kids piled in the station wagon, as well as to her beloved Madeline Island.
Preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; parents, Roy and Ruby Esanbock; half-brother, Bob Esanbock; stepmother, Myrtle Esanbock; father and mother-in-law, Vernon and Leila Mulhollam; stepmother-in-law, Evelyn Mulhollam; daughter-in-law, Diane Mulhollam; brothers- in- law, Bill and Neil Mulhollam; and sisters-in-law, Joyce and Teresa as well as nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Olive Ellen is survived by her children, Cathy (Greg) Johnson, Mary (Dave) Boles, Tom (Brenda) Mulhollam, Mike (Jody) Mulhollam, Pat (Jack) Meyer, Peg (Todd) Foley, and Paula (Boyd) Johnson. Her 16 awesome grandkids; and 24 very cool great-grand kids; sister-in-law, Janet Struez; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The Lord blessed her greatly with a full life. Olive Ellen will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and their children as well as her many great friends. She will surely find some great card partners in Heaven.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Olive Ellen Mulhollam was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, with visitation at 11:00 and Mass at 12:00 at St. Bridget Catholic Church, (211 East Division Street in River Falls, WI). Interment was in Saint Bridget Catholic Cemetery in River Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Turning Point, the Halfway House, or Treasures of the Heart in River Falls. The Mass will be streamed live via a link below this obituary. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch the recording of Olive’s Mass