Alice Joy Ollila

Alice Joy (Heino) Ollila, 88 years old, was welcomed home by her Lord and Savior on March 30th, 2024, after she lost her battle with Alzheimer’s. During this journey, she was given loving care from her devoted family, the Knute Nelson Hospice team and the wonderful staff at Providence Villa in Sebeka. Alice was born at home to William and Esther (Carpenter) Heino on March 21, 1936 in Sebeka, MN. Her family moved from their home in Sebeka, to the Heino family farm, when she was ten years old. She enjoyed growing up on the farm with her seven siblings and would always speak fondly of those days of working in the fields and barn, and said it was the hard work and long days that attributed to her work ethic. For the past years, she had enjoyed the Annual Heino Picnic that continues to be held at the family farm. Alice attended country school until eighth grade and then went to Sebeka High School. While in high school, she played the trumpet in the band and helped with the school plays. She was proud of the fact that the marching band earned first place in the Aquatennial Parade in Minneapolis when she was a senior. After Alice graduated in 1954, she went to Minneapolis and worked for a couple of years as a nanny. She moved back to Sebeka to be an accountant for the Sebeka Creamery. She also held other jobs including secretary at State Farm Insurance, income tax preparer, and accountant at West Central Telephone Association. She always loved her “numbers”. After retiring in 1996, she continued to work part time at the Sebeka Liquor Store and the American Legion. She liked to be around people and worked all these jobs with a smile on her face and kindness in her heart. Alice was united in marriage to Melvin Ollila on October 10th, 1969, which created their blended family of four children: Cheryl, Terry, Mary and Butch. They made their home in Sebeka and after a few years, they left the town life and built a house in the country by the Heino farm. In 1989, they moved back to Sebeka where Alice and Mel celebrated 30 years of marriage just prior to Mel’s passing in 1999. Alice moved to Green Gables Townhomes in Wadena in 2016 and lived there for over seven years before moving to Providence Villa in Sebeka. Alice had come full circle and was back home in Sebeka. Alice was a loving wife, caring mother and gram-ma O, supportive sister, and good friend to all. She especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would play games, fix their favorite food and simply have fun with them. As they got older, she attended their sporting events, band and piano concerts, church programs, and family parties. She was always ready to travel, to encourage and cheer on her favorite players. She felt blessed to have family live close to her. Throughout Alice’s life, she was able to enjoy a number of hobbies. She began sewing for herself and 4-H projects when she was a teenager. She would ask her parents to buy two feed sacks with the same pattern so she could sew a dress out of them. Alice also did mending and alterations for family and friends for over 50 years. She enjoyed crocheting doilies, a skill she learned from her mother. Alice’s most notable hobby, was embroidering dish towels. She was very particular on the color choices and designs of each towel she made. She completed hundreds of towels for the church sale, neighbors and family members. Alice took great pride in her work and towels were given to each person with her love stitched into them. During the summer, you could catch her cheering on the Twins baseball team and watching wildlife in her back yard. She also found time to “walk the streets of Sebeka” giving a wave along the way to all who honked. Alice was active in the community. She was a life-long member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years. She was proud to volunteer her time for the men and women who fought for our freedom. Alice was also a member of the Sebeka Senior Citizen Center where she helped with Monday Morning Coffee and whatever else needed to be done so people could continue to enjoy the center. Faith was important to Alice. She was a life-long member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed and served in many different roles –- Financial Secretary, Altar Guild, Prayer Chain, Priscilla Guild and wherever help was needed. She was on-call whenever someone needed the church to be locked or unlocked. The motto was ‘Just call Alice”. She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her children: Cheryl (Don) Crabb of Sebeka; Terry Ollila of Buffalo, MN and stepdaughter, Mary Helsene of Ada, MN. She was blessed to have several grandchildren: Mike Crabb of Sebeka; Sara (Matt) Erickson of Lake Shore, MN; Lisa (Shaun) Martini of Pequot Lakes, MN; Gregg (Emily) Crabb of Sebeka; Shane Ollila of Fergus Falls, MN; Kira (Nathan) Ollila of Savage, MN. Step-grandchildren Sara (Jeremy) Anderson of Sartell, MN; Adam Helsene of Fargo, ND; Michelle Greathouse of Novinger, MO and Jennifer Still of Orlando, FL. Great-grandchildren: Sterling Crabb; Clay & Carter Erickson; Maci, Kelsi, Eli & Darci Martini; and Skylar Mursu & Quinn Crabb; Bonus great-grandchildren: Megan (Tanner) Hilde; Matthew (Taylor) Lillquist; and Erin (Caleb) Puttonen. One great-great-grandchild, Weston Puttonen. Step-great grandchildren, Katie (Peter) Whitney; Bill and Mike Anderson; Jerret Blackman; Trevor & McKenna Greathouse; and Natalie Marvel. She is also survived by three brothers: Bill (Pat) Heino of Chetek, WI; Ted (Pam) Heino of Wadena, MN; and Mike (Sharon) Heino of Sebeka, MN; sister-in-law: Mary (Jack) Heino in Alabama; brothers-in-law: Holger Nielsen of Wadena, MN and John Riski of Minto, ND; and a countless host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, William and Esther Heino; infant daughter, Shirley Helga Makela; husband, Mel Ollila; stepson, Melvin Ollila, Jr (Butch); sisters, Darlene Bird; Twyla Riski; and Judy Nielsen; and brother, Jack Heino. While Alzheimer’s made Alice forgot some people, names, and life events, she never lost her love for her family. During the last month, she reflected on her life and said she had no regrets. She was happy to have lived her life devoted to her family and friends for 88 years. The family asks to please join them as they celebrate Alice, the beautiful life she lived and the person she was to all who knew her. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Sebeka West Cemetery.