Olivia Sleeman
NEGAUNEE, MI – Olivia Phyllis Sleeman, 84, of Negaunee, passed away Monday afternoon, September 25, 2023 at UP Health System Bell. Her battle with congestive heart failure came to an end with her daughter and son-in-law at her side. Olivia’s ‘big heart’ just gave out, and she was reunited with her beloved husband and son.
Olivia was born at her home in Gwinn on August 6, 1939, to Oliver ‘Morgan’ and Phyllis (Roncaglione) Meni Lafkas, grew up in Negaunee, and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1957. If something was happening in Negaunee, Olivia was there. She worked at Sears Catalog and later retired as a salesperson from Sears in Marquette. She married Jim Sleeman in 1957, and together they raised their two children, Richard and Lori.
Mrs. Sleeman was a member of the Negaunee Eagles, Negaunee Elks Lodge, the Negaunee VFW Auxiliary, as well as the Paisano Club. She enjoyed playing cribbage at the Negaunee Senior Center, and never missed a Wednesday evening city band concert in the summers.
Olivia and Jim loved traveling and camping, spending months each spring and fall in Grand Marais and Big Eric’s Bridge in L’Anse so Jim could go fishing. They also wintered in Florida for many years until Jim’s health declined. Having traveled extensively throughout the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, she also took two trips to northern Italy with her mom to visit with relatives, the last of those trips was on the Queen Mary II.
Olivia loved her family unconditionally and was so proud of them all, especially her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will all miss her dearly. The family would like to thank everyone who enriched Olivia’s life, especially her wonderful friends and neighbors. It really did take a village to take care of Olivia.
Surviving are her daughter, Lori (James) Howe of Marquette; daughter-in-law, Gina Sleeman Harris; grandchildren: Chad (Gabriella) Sleeman, Todd (Cynthia) Sleeman, and Olivia (Daniel) Caramella, and Ryan (Marcella Krupski) Howe; great-grandchildren: Antonio, Olivia, Haille, Lillian, Victoria, Zoey, Fiona, and Daniel; sisters-in-law, Ceil Sleeman and Judy Hocking; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Sleeman; and son, Richard Sleeman.
A Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held at the Ishpeming Elks Lodge on Monday, October 2nd starting at 1:00 PM. Interment will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery.
Mrs. Sleeman’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com