Olive Schoff

Olive G. Schoff, 95, Independence, Missouri passed into her new life on Friday, July 9, 2010 at Rosewood Health Center in Independence, MO. Services will be 10 a.m., Monday, July 19, 2010 at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052; interment at Mound Grove Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to service time. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Walnut Park Community of Christ Build for Peace Fund, c/o Bob Miller CFO, 1131 W. 27th St, Independence, MO 64052 or The Groves Community Hospice, 1515 W. White Oak, Independence, MO 64050.
Olive was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada, the daughter of Julian and Mary (Trost) Peterson, who were among the first pioneers of the Lone Star Community. In the fall of 1922, her dad built a little house that fit on a wagon frame and they made their way to the states, where they crossed the border on November 2 (Olive’s 8th birthday) and purchased a small farm southeast of Hamilton, Missouri. She graduated with honors from New York Consolidated High School in Hamilton and completed courses at Central Business College in Kansas City, Missouri. On April 1, 1941, with great pride, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
On a leave during World War II, she married Thurston Schoff, her childhood sweetheart on January 9, 1944 in Kansas City, Kansas. After the war ended they lived in Independence and raised their children in their home on S. Dodgion Street.
Olive worked as the assistant office manager for eight years for the Midland Title and Timber Co. in Kansas City before starting their family. She was later employed by McCoy School Food Service for several years in various positions, including cashier. She was a sales associate for the Jones Store Co. at the Blue Ridge Mall for eight years (3 of which she was the top sales person), retiring in January 1977.
She was an active member of the New Walnut Park (RLDS) Community of Christ congregation, where she served as Daughters of Zion Leader, Women’s Leader, Sunday School teacher and Vacation Church School Director. She also served on the PTA board at McCoy Elementary School. When the Community of Christ Temple was completed, she enjoyed volunteering in the Temple Bookstore. She met on a weekly basis with a group of ladies at Heritage House to make items for the Children’s Peace Pavilion.
Olive was a wonderful cook and known for her gracious hospitality. Her berry pies were always a favorite of family and friends. Olive enjoyed writing and sending notes of appreciation and encouragement to family and friends. She made beautiful hand-made gifts and shared them during birthdays and holidays with many people. She was always up for a good game of cards or crochet. Olive had a great appreciation for music. She was blessed with the gift of prayer and sharing a positive testimony.
After retirement, Olive and Thurston enjoyed spending their winters in Weslaco, Texas for 21 years. They called Heritage House home for 23 years before moving to the Groves in 2008.
Olive was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Thurston Schoff; sister, Sylvia Dunlap; brother, Wilmer Peterson and sister, Dora Rounds. Her memory is cherished by her daughter, Cynthia Schnell and husband Kenneth and son, Kenneth Schoff and wife Cheryl; grandchildren, Barbara Galbraith and husband Joseph, Michael Willoughby, Jason Schoff and wife Megan, Stephen Schnell, and Jennifer Buckley and husband Scott; 9 great-grandchildren, Madeleine, Sophia and Austin Galbraith, Morgan and Savannah Schnell, Declan and Brennan Schoff and Emma and Ian Buckley; and many relatives and friends.