1925
Olga
2021
Olga Owens Wilkinson Milius
February 12, 1925 — March 11, 2021
Olga Milius’ Obituary – “OUR QUEEN MUM: Keep Calm and Carry On”
Olga Owens Wilkinson Milius, 96, beloved British mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully March 11, 2021 at the home of her daughter, Kathy Hart, in Vancouver WA. Olga was born Feb. 12, 1925 in Burnley, Lancashire England to Robert Wilkinson and Elizabeth May Owens. Her older brother, Bob (Robert Jr.) preceded her death in England in 1991.
Following World War II, Olga immigrated to Utah to be sealed to her parents in the Salt Lake Temple. She often shared detailed stories about her youth in England having food shortages, blackouts and bombings due to the war. In 1947, she sailed to America on the Marine Falcon Ship saying how most of the people on board got seasick, except she, her dad, and the sailors. Olga was proud of her English heritage, but equally as proud of her American citizenship. Olga loved the sea and wrote poems about it. In later years, she vacationed often at her favorite seaside city, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The gorgeous gardens greatly reminded her of beautiful England.
Olga met her husband, Raymond Willie Milius, while directing a show. They also sang together in their LDS Ward Choir. She had a superb soprano voice along with true gentility. They married on Feb. 14, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. Ray preceded her in death in 2008. Both were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Olga served many years as a dedicated Relief Society teacher and Ward Theater Director, claiming her children were raised amongst “Road Shows and grease paint.”
At the young age of 14, Olga was employed by the Burnley Newspaper in England. Being an exceptional writer, she continued her journalism career in Salt Lake City for nearly 30 additional years as a correspondent and full-time employee for the “Eagle” and “Green Sheet” newspapers in Utah. She oversaw the “Green Sheet/Eagle Theater Student Awards Program” for over 12 years and was Theater Critic for the “Green Sheet” newspaper. She worked in a variety of capacities, from stringer to proof-reader, layout and associate editor. Olga worked for three different newspaper owners and three managing editors and was deeply respected by her peers. She retired having honorary newspaper tributes in 1995.
Olga was an ardent reader always having a pile of books beside her armchair. She spoke the “King’s English” and everyone enjoyed her British accent. One of her most cherished Church responsibilities was serving as a volunteer teacher with the Hartvigsen and Granite LDS Institute/Continuing Education programs. She loved the students in her Wednesday night classes, and served in this position for many years until well into her nineties. Her life philosophy was to “Trust God and you can always do what you have to do.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Olga’s passion for Theater remained constant throughout her life. Her children remember her being a “singing mother” at home and grandchildren fondly called her “The Mary Poppins Grandma.” Attending musicals and dance performances with loved ones was her ultimate pastime. Many happy family memories involve local productions at Hale Center Theater, City Rep, and Desert Star Playhouse.
“Olga” means holy. Lyrics from the musical, “Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat,” summarize how sacred she was to family. “There’s one more angel in heaven. There’s one more star in the sky. ‘Olga,’ we’ll never forget you. It’s tough, but we’re gonna get by. There’s one less place at our table. There’s one more tear in my eye. But, ‘Olga’ the things that you stood for like truth and light never die.”
Olga is survived by six children, Raymond (Sheran) CO, Ronald, TX, Steven, UT, Gaylene (Doug) UT, Kathy (Randy) WA, and Karen, UT. Preceded in death are daughter in laws, DeAnn and Vivian Milius. She has 17 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Interment will be held at Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery 6500 So. Redwood Rd., Taylorsville, UT. 84123.Service Information
Funeral Service
March 27, 2021 at 11:00 am
Redwood Memorial Mortuary Chapel, 6500 South Redwood Road
Olga Owens Wilkinson Milius, 96, beloved British mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully March 11, 2021 at the home of her daughter, Kathy Hart, in Vancouver WA. Olga was born Feb. 12, 1925 in Burnley, Lancashire England to Robert Wilkinson and Elizabeth May Owens. Her older brother, Bob (Robert Jr.) preceded her death in England in 1991.
Following World War II, Olga immigrated to Utah to be sealed to her parents in the Salt Lake Temple. She often shared detailed stories about her youth in England having food shortages, blackouts and bombings due to the war. In 1947, she sailed to America on the Marine Falcon Ship saying how most of the people on board got seasick, except she, her dad, and the sailors. Olga was proud of her English heritage, but equally as proud of her American citizenship. Olga loved the sea and wrote poems about it. In later years, she vacationed often at her favorite seaside city, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The gorgeous gardens greatly reminded her of beautiful England.
Olga met her husband, Raymond Willie Milius, while directing a show. They also sang together in their LDS Ward Choir. She had a superb soprano voice along with true gentility. They married on Feb. 14, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. Ray preceded her in death in 2008. Both were faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Olga served many years as a dedicated Relief Society teacher and Ward Theater Director, claiming her children were raised amongst “Road Shows and grease paint.”
At the young age of 14, Olga was employed by the Burnley Newspaper in England. Being an exceptional writer, she continued her journalism career in Salt Lake City for nearly 30 additional years as a correspondent and full-time employee for the “Eagle” and “Green Sheet” newspapers in Utah. She oversaw the “Green Sheet/Eagle Theater Student Awards Program” for over 12 years and was Theater Critic for the “Green Sheet” newspaper. She worked in a variety of capacities, from stringer to proof-reader, layout and associate editor. Olga worked for three different newspaper owners and three managing editors and was deeply respected by her peers. She retired having honorary newspaper tributes in 1995.
Olga was an ardent reader always having a pile of books beside her armchair. She spoke the “King’s English” and everyone enjoyed her British accent. One of her most cherished Church responsibilities was serving as a volunteer teacher with the Hartvigsen and Granite LDS Institute/Continuing Education programs. She loved the students in her Wednesday night classes, and served in this position for many years until well into her nineties. Her life philosophy was to “Trust God and you can always do what you have to do.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Olga’s passion for Theater remained constant throughout her life. Her children remember her being a “singing mother” at home and grandchildren fondly called her “The Mary Poppins Grandma.” Attending musicals and dance performances with loved ones was her ultimate pastime. Many happy family memories involve local productions at Hale Center Theater, City Rep, and Desert Star Playhouse.
“Olga” means holy. Lyrics from the musical, “Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat,” summarize how sacred she was to family. “There’s one more angel in heaven. There’s one more star in the sky. ‘Olga,’ we’ll never forget you. It’s tough, but we’re gonna get by. There’s one less place at our table. There’s one more tear in my eye. But, ‘Olga’ the things that you stood for like truth and light never die.”
Olga is survived by six children, Raymond (Sheran) CO, Ronald, TX, Steven, UT, Gaylene (Doug) UT, Kathy (Randy) WA, and Karen, UT. Preceded in death are daughter in laws, DeAnn and Vivian Milius. She has 17 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Interment will be held at Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery 6500 So. Redwood Rd., Taylorsville, UT. 84123.Service Information
Funeral Service
March 27, 2021 at 11:00 am
Redwood Memorial Mortuary Chapel, 6500 South Redwood Road
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