Constance Lea Oliver

Constance Oliver, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2025 at New Perspectives Senior Living in Howard, WI, in the care of Moments Hospice. In her final days she was visited almost constantly by family and friends who flocked to her side when it was clear she was on the verge of making her transition.

Connie was born on August 8, 1940 in Oconto Falls, WI, the first child of Kendall and Violet (nee Hyland) Putnam. She married Ronald Charles Oliver of Milwaukee, WI, on November 19, 1960. They were together 60 years and were only separated when Ronald preceded her in death in 2021.

Connie was part of a close knit family and loved spending time with her sisters Susan and Mary (affectionately known as “Cookie”) and brother Kent. Her father and mother had built a rustic cabin in the woods near Athelstane, WI, and it became a beloved place to Connie where she and her family would gather to laugh and enjoy the quiet beauty. The cabin is still a favorite family retreat to this day.

Connie was an attentive, caring and supportive mother who took time to nurture all of her children with love, support and fun. She used discipline when it was needed but her parenting techniques of choice were listening and advice.

Connie was a skilled clerical administrator working through the years in various positions as the family moved due to Ronald’s military service. Connie’s relentless pursuit of excellence earned her numerous favorable citations from her employers ranging from NASA, the U.S. Military civilian service corps, The Boeing Company aerospace and Schneider National transport. Her greatest kudos came in the early 1980’s when she received a Caribbean cruise for being the outstanding employee of the year while working for Boeing.

Connie loved to share a good joke, she loved to travel to beautiful places, she loved to commune with nature and found peace in her spiritual connection to the earth and finding God in all living things. She explored various paths to God but found a special affinity for Native American spirituality.

Connie was a force for love in the world, always choosing to see the best in all she encountered. She shared that love freely and so she made friends easily and kept them as long as she lived. The greatest testament to that love came as she neared her time to leave us and was visited by the members of the staff at New Perspectives who had cared for her since 2018, both past and present, not just the nursing staff but from all departments, all who had been blessed by her loving spirit. They came to return that love and pay their respects. Connie’s family would like to thank all of those at New Perspectives for taking such good care of her these past 7 years.

Connie is survived by her three children, Michael, Timothy and Amy Oliver, her daughters-in-law Pamela Gee-Oliver and Amy Ballard, her grandchildren, Samuel Shipley, Kaitlyn Oliver and Corey Oliver, her sister Mary “Cookie” Konitzer and brother-in-law Gary, her brother Kent Hyland Putnam, her great-grandson Malachi Bissett, her “special” kids Chris and Sally Gee and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and one sister; Susan Putnam.

Connie’s wishes were to be cremated and to have a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a loving charity of your choice.