Marcella Gaus Olivier, 87, was born December 2, 1924, in San Antonio, and died Monday, March 26, 2012, in Winnie, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Marcella was the only child of Lydia Mueller Maddock and Joseph John Maddock. On June 18, 1944, she married Donald Henry Gaus and moved to the Gaus Farm outside of Hamshire where they shared a happy, welcoming home for fifty years. Marcella and Donald were blessed with two boys, Donald “Shorty” Gaus, Jr. and Milton Gaus. In 2000, she married a life-long friend, Howard Olivier, and they moved to Beaumont.
She served the Lord with gladness. Marcella was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Beaumont and was a charter member of Hope Luther Church in Winnie. From 1984 to 1988, she served as the president of the Texas District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Also in 1991, Marcella was selected by the Concordia Lutheran College Board of Regents in Austin as Luther Woman of the Year. Throughout her life she was active in her church, Bible study, witnessing, and helping others.
Marcella was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Henry Gaus.
She is survived by her husband, Howard Olivier; sons, “Shorty” Gaus and his wife, Kathy and Milton Gaus and his wife, Peggy; grandchildren, David Gaus, Mark Gaus and Karen Mills; great-grandchildren, Travis Gaus, Tyler Gaus, Elizabeth Mills, Molly Mills and Addison Gaus; and a host of extended family members and friends.
Marcella was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, and will be missed by all. We were truly blessed to have had her in our lives and know that now she is at peace.
Her family would like to thank the staff at The Arboretum, especially “C” Hall, for their care of Marcella.
A gathering of her family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at St. John Lutheran Church, 2955 South Major Drive, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
