Mary Ellen (Olsen) Young

Mary Ellen Young, age 68 of Atascadero, California passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at her home.

She was born September 7, 1949 in L’Anse, Michigan daughter of Erling and Gertrude (Jurmu) Olsen.  Mary graduated from L’Anse High School in 1967 and went on to attend Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

She married Darryl Young in 1977 and they were later divorced but remained friends.  He preceded her in death. She also had a long-term relationship with Hadrian Desist until his death.  She and John Newland were together for many years at the time of her death.

Mary was a free spirit and lived in different places throughout the country; Michigan, Maryland, Georgia, California and Washington state to name a few.  She was a talented writer and musician.  She played the guitar and piano and sang on various occasions.  She also played the French horn while in high school.  She wrote several short stories for publications and wrote for pleasure about her younger years; growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by Lake Superior.

True to her free spirit, Mary had several jobs. She worked as a nanny and with developmentally disabled children, but most of her life she was a waitress. In later years she worked as a hotel front desk receptionist.

Surviving are her sisters, Judy (Larry) VanLanduyt of Paradise, California and Della “Kiki” (Keith) Cheney of Marquette, Michigan, sisters-in-law, Carolyn (Michael) Sealfon of Kent, Washington and Carol Olsen of L’Anse, Michigan, and brother-in-law, James Starkel of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, 17 nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews and numerous cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents, siblings, Vernon Olsen, Morgan Olsen, Lori Starkel and Dennis Olsen; sisters-in-law, Janice Olsen and Joan Olsen and niece Sheila VanLanduyt.

A memorial service for the inurnment of Mary and her Brother Dennis’ will take place at at 11:00 a.m. on May 26, 2018 in the Pequaming Cemetery.  Following the services there will be a luncheon at the Aura Fire Hall in Aura, Michigan.  The Jacobson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Friends may sign Mary’s guest book and send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.