Mitzi Frances Ohlstrom Obituary (1929 - 2016)

MITZI FRANCES OHLSTROM Mitzi passed away peacefully on July 5, 2016, at age 87, after a week-long hospitalization. Mitzi was born on March 3, 1929, the youngest of nine children of Alois and Julia Krininger. She was raised on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle and attended St. Anne Grade School, Queen Anne High School, and Peterson's Business School. Mitzi began her career as a secretary for a downtown insurance office and then studied to become a surety bond underwriter. She later moved to the American Automobile Insurance Company, where she met her future husband, Bill. They were married in Seattle on June 30, 1951, and together they raised two sons and one daughter: Mitzi returned to the workforce after her children were established at Assumption Catholic School, first as an office volunteer at the school, then as a paid part-time, then full time secretary. Mitzi was the first lay person to serve as school secretary; previously the nuns had not only taught classes, but handled all the administrative tasks of the school. She worked hard and always had a helpful and positive demeanor. She retired in 1984 after 18 years. Next, Mitzi worked as an on-call receptionist for the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau at various locations in downtown Seattle when seminars and conventions came to town. Overall, Mitzi found this to be fascinating work which gave her the opportunity to meet a wide variety of professionals from all over the world, but she did retain vivid memories of working the WTO meeting in 1999 with the protests and rioting that occurred. She retired from the Bureau in 2004. Mitzi and Bill loved travelling. They had the opportunity to cruise to the South Pacific, Alaska, the Caribbean, and across the Atlantic from Florida to the Mediterranean. They also enjoyed extended tours across parts of Europe and vacationed in Maui or Palm Springs in the winter. Mitzi was an active and greatly appreciated member and volunteer at Assumption Parish. She served on the Parish Council, the school's Mother's Club, the St. Joan of Arc Guild Altar Society, and was a Eucharistic Minister for 20 years. Finally, Mitzi's life was marked by the great love she held for her family and friends, and they for her. There were many annual family celebrations, including 4th of July picnics, Oktoberfests, and Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Every fall brought enthusiastic support for the University of Washington and Notre Dame football programs. These traditions continue to be passed down. Mitzi is survived by her brother AI (Katherine) Krininger (Seattle); sister Mary Krininger (Seattle); sister Dolores (John) Acurio (Winchester, Va); son Jeff (Val) Ohlstrom (Seattle); son Mark (Cathy) Ohlstrom (Tukwila); daughter Carla (Ron) Duncan (Bothell); former son-in-law Larry Kucera of Normandy Park; eleven terrific grandchildren: Brian (Claire) Kucera; Diana (Tristan) Brown; Caitlin (Dan) Griffith; Nathan and Hannah Duncan; Michaela Panick; Matteo, Rob, Denis (Taylor), Andrew and Marissa Ohlstrom; 5 great-grandchildren: Lavinia, Genevieve, and Roric Griffith; Rhys, and Rey (due 8-26-16) Kucera; and her many nieces, nephews and other extended family members. Mitzi was preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 58 years; her parents; and her sisters Lucy, Sally, Alvina, Alice, and Margaret. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, July 30th at 10:00 AM at Assumption Catholic Church 6201 33rd Ave NE, Seattle, 98115. Remembrances may be made to the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, P.O. Box 86010, Portland, Oregon 97286-0010 or to Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145. Hoffner Fisher & Harvey Guest book at harveyfuneral.com To send a flower arrangement in memory of Mitzi Frances Ohlstrom, please click here to visit our sympathy store.