Obituary: Peggy Joyce (Bender) Olday - Class of 1948

MADISON - Peggy Joyce Olday is continuing the journey of life with her Lord and Savior. Peggy, age 77, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2008, with her family by her side, at HospiceCare in Madison, after a courageous six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Peggy was born on Jan. 13, 1931, in Madison, the daughter of the late Emanuel and Thelma Bender. Peggy was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Donovan L. Olday Sr. on May 6, 1949, on a beautiful day at First Christian Church, Madison. Peggy graduated from Central High School in 1948 and went on to work for UW-Madison. She was a member of the American Legion Post 57, Ladies Auxiliary. Upon starting a family Peggy was a stay-at-home mom devoting herself solely to her family and church. Peggy was a very active member of Community Christian Church in Monona. For the past 35 years Peggy has worked for Avon, excelling in Avon sales, recruiting, training, and earning awards for her dedication and numerous accomplishments. She has made many wonderful friends with her Avon career who loved her dearly. Peggy is survived by Donovan, her husband of nearly 59 years; three daughters, Penny Jastal-Hagar and Patti Lambert of Wisconsin, and Pamela Zoutendyk of Michigan; two sons, Donovan Jr. and David of Wisconsin; 11 beautiful grandchildren and 10 wonderful great-grandchildren who will all miss her dearly; two very loving and giving sisters, Beverly Hebl and Judy Veloff of Wisconsin; a loving brother, Emanuel P. Bender Jr. of Arizona; and a very special sister-in-law, Sandy Kaiser of California. Peggy is further survived by loving aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and very, very special friends. Peggy was preceded in death by two grandsons, infant Jerrod K. Olday of Arizona, and 15-month-old Alec J. Lambert; and her parents. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 28, 2008, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road with the Rev. Bob Lawrence officiating. There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Madison. A very special thanks to Dr. LoConte and her staff with the Paul P. Carbone Cancer Center, and Pastor Bob Lawrence and members of the Community Christian Church. Also, thanks to the HospiceCare staff who provided compassionate care and comfort.Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 26, 2008