Ann Olsen Stickler passed away on June 12, 2015. She was born on February 13, 1914, in Pinewood, Minnesota. Her parents, Christine and Matt Olsen, were immigrants from Norway who raised their children on a farm in Minnesota. Ann was one of five siblings: sister, Bertha; brother, Ole; foster-sister and brother, Hazel and Marvin Johnson.
When Ann was age 18, the family moved to the Boise/Idaho City area. For the next few years, Ann was employed at the C.C. Anderson Company, Carrols, and then The Mode Ltd. in Boise as a cosmetic and ladies' clothing sales person.
In 1935, Ann married Leo Johnston of Emmett. They had one daughter, Jacqueline. In 1941, Leo passed away from brain cancer.
Later, Ann married Mace Stickler of Nampa who passed away in 2001 at the age of 93. They had been married for 59 years and had one son, James.
Until her children were grown, Ann was a homemaker. In 1957, she resumed her career as a buyer at The Mode, first in cosmetics, then for the remainder of her career, in the lingerie department. An extremely skillful as well as successful buyer, Ann traveled to the New York City and Los Angeles markets a few times each year. She loved her career which was evident not only by her sense of personal style, but also by the success of the lingerie department which she managed. After Ann retired as a buyer, she continued to work as a saleslady for several years thereafter.
As an avid and masterful bridge player, entertaining bridge groups in her home was one of Ann's joys. She participated in various bridge groups and participated annually in the St. Mary's Marathon.
Cooking was one of Ann's favorite pastimes. Whether it was for family, friends, or her bridge group, she meticulously planned, prepared, and served delectable food. At special events, members of her church always looked forward to her famous German Chocolate Cake.
After retiring, Ann also enjoyed painting landscapes, still life, and portraits. Her paintings currently are enjoyed by her children and grandchildren in their homes.
Kind, generous, meticulous, and soft-spoken with a hidden strength, Ann always has been dearly loved and treasured by her family and friends. Her outlook on life was always positive as well as optimistic, and she loved to laugh, including at herself.
Ann is survived by a daughter, Jacqueline Mayo of Bellevue, WA; a son, Jim Stickler of Boise; grandsons, David and wife, Veronica Mayo, of Bellevue, WA, and Tim Mayo of Bellevue, WA; granddaughter, Tami and husband, Ken Moothart, of Mukilteo, WA; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Hazel Lowe, of Boise and Lawrence, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on July 18, 2015, at 1:00p.m. at All Saints' Lutheran Church, Bellevue, WA.
Memorial donations in memory of Ann O. Stickler may be made to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA, 98109-1024.