Shirley A. Olkives

Shirley Olkives, 87, passed away on January 24, 2025, peacefully under Compassus Hospice Care.  

She was born on March 24,1937 daughter to Arther and Elfried Lambrecht Porath 

Shirley married Clifford Sabatke on September 26, 1953, at Zion Lutheran in Merrill, they were married for 56 years. He preceded her in death on February 4, 2010.

She then married Allen Olkvies on May 16, 2013. He preceded her in death on January 2, 2024

Shirley worked at Tiny Tot, Hanson Glove, and Anson and Gilkey. 

She got her GED, then enrolled in Wisconsin College of Beauty School and graduated in May1975. After graduation, she started at Baimans Beauty Wausau for 1 year. Then she moved to Lidya Beauty Salon in Merrill, until she opened her own shop. In 1981, she opened Fashion Fair in her home, where she did hair until well into her seventy’s. She would also go and do hair at Taylor Stine Funeral home and Waid Funeral home, whenever they called. Along with doing hair, she watched one or more of the grandchildren or great grandchildren. She would ask if they would like to come with her to the funeral home, but most of them turned their nose up; but she had one that loved to tag along.

Before they put up the garage in the back yard, they had a good side garden. They canned most of what was grown. Shirley had the best rhubarb plants and made bars with it, unless one or more the children had pulled the rhubarb to eat with sugar. Making homemade quilts was a passion of hers, if she wasn’t giving them as gifts, she was making some for the veterans at King. She loved to go fishing and would take the grandkids and great grandkids. Even if no one caught any fish, she would sit out and fish for hours. She loved playing cards Rummy, Zumba Kings Corner and many others with the brothers, sisters and significant others. She loved to go to the casino with her sisters and brothers-in-law. She loved to go to the Brewers games with the family. Shirley was an avid Packers fan. She enjoyed going up to North Forest Campground and camp by her brother Ronald along with family members. She loved to travel with family and friends. 

She was an avid lifetime member the Ladies VFW Auxiliary 1638. She was the secretary for more years than we can count. Shirley was also the President of the Ladies Auxiliary 1638 in 1996, and District President in 1997. Shirley and Clifford also spent many years doing the Buddy Poppy for the VFW. She was on the Auxiliary bowling league for many years, going to the state bowling tournaments 

She was a member of the Ladies Eagles Auxiliary 584. 

 Shirley is survived by 3 children, Keith Sabatke, Wausau, Yvonne (Pat) Woller Merrill, LuAnn Steger, Gleason.

Grandchildren, Shawn (Sarah) Sabatke Jacob Sabatke Jason (Jammie) Woller, Nicole (Pete Berna) Woller, Amy Woller, Michele Steger, Sara Steger, Rebecca (Steven) Gebhardt, Nicole Kelch and TJ Liss. 

17 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren, with another due in May.

Shirley is further survived by her brother, Robert (Bernice) Porath and many nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, husbands, Clifford and Allen, son Dwight, son in law, Steve Steger; daughter in law, Sue Sabatke; siblings Otto (Selma)Porath; Lavilla (Albert)Steckling; Grace (Arnold) Raddatz; Lorraine (Victor) Raddatz; Charlotte (Roman) Labarge; Ronald (Phyllis and Veronica) Porath and Melvin (Pat) Porath and Pearl (Leslie)Sabatke.

 Services will be held on Saturday, February 8,2025, at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. Pastor Scott Gustafson will officiate. The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 am until time of service. Friends may call Friday, February 7, 2025, from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral Home (formerly Waid Funeral Home), 301 Eagle Drive. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Shirley memory be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church Radio broadcast or to Bell Tower Residence.

A special thank you to the nursing staff at Bell Tower for their compassion and excellent care that they had provided to Shirley and our family 

A special thank you also to Compassus Hospice for the care they gave Shirley in her final days.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.