Olive Marie Phares

Olive Marie Phares was born January 31, 1912 in Greeley, Kansas, the daughter of William "Will" and Madelyne "Lena" (Miller) Newcomb. She passed away on November 1, 2009 at the Golden Heights Living Center in Garnett at the age of 97 years. During her early childhood years, she grew up in Greeley before attending the Ursuline Academy at Paola, Kansas. After school, she began working in Greeley. She also took care of her younger siblings due to the death of her mother. On January 18, 1934 she married Harold A. Phares, of Parker, at Greeley. In January of 2004 they celebrated 70 years together. Four sons were born to this union, Phillip, Paul, Jack, and Richard. The family later grew to include ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Harold's occupation as a printer and typesetter led them to Parker, Colony, Hutchinson and Westphalia; before moving to Garnett in 1941 where they would spend the rest of their lives. After her son, Rick's diagnosis of Down's syndrome, Harold and Olive became very active in the formation of Tri-Ko Inc. and other local programs for the mentally challenged. They continued their work in this area until their health would no longer allow. Olive was a member of the Holy Angels Church and the Altar Society. Olive was preceded in death by her, parents, one sister, Helen; three brothers, Edward, Bernard, and Kenneth; her son, Jack; a daughter-in-law Beverly Phares; and grandson Stanton Phares She is survived by her sons, Phillip Phares of Pahrump, Nevada; Paul Phares and wife, Jo Ella, of Garnett, and Rick Phares of Osawatomie, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Judy Phares of Phoenix, Arizona; ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at the Holy Angels Church, Garnett. Interment will follow in the Holy Angels Cemetery. The family will greet friends following a Rosary service at 7:00 PM, Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to Tri-Ko Inc. or to the Holy Angels Building Fund and may be sent in care of the funeral home.