Jenice Olsen

Sylvia “Jenice” Olsen
May 6, 1941- July 29, 2024

Sylvia “Jenice” Olsen, age 83, left this Earth peacefully to join her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 29th in Waco after a battle with Leukemia. Her life will be celebrated with a visitation for family and friends on Friday, August 2nd at OakCrest Funeral Home in Waco, Texas from 6:00-8:00 pm. A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 3rd at the Frost Cemetery in Frost, Texas at 9:30 am.

Jenice was born to Kathleen and Ernest Long on May 6th, 1941 in Frost, Texas. Her youth years were spent working on the family farm and picking cotton. She attended and graduated from Frost High School where she excelled as an athlete, competing in many activities including baton twirling, tennis and her favorite basketball. She loved her school and community! After graduating, she went on to have 3 children, Kimberly, Lance, and Monica Burkhart. In November of 1976 she met and married the love of her life, Willie Olsen. Jenice retired from Owens Illinois Glass Plant in Waco after 31 years of service.

Her family was her pride and joy, as she cherished every moment she spent with each of them! She loved her nieces and nephews as her own and they loved their “Aunt Tootsie.” She volunteered her time coaching little league softball, bowling in Waco city leagues, and finding the best garage sales. She always found a way to gamble; playing in her weekly poker games, bingo with friends, and trips to the “Casina.” Her retirement years were spent caring for grandchildren, cheering on her grandchildren and great grandchildren at ball games and supporting them in their chosen careers. There weren’t many games or activities she missed and her voice would be heard in the stands by all! Her favorite pastimes were watching college and professional sports. She was known to her grandchildren and their friends as “G.G." She loved nothing more than to brag on all her children’s and grandchildren's accomplishments, to anyone who would listen!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kathleen and Earnest Long; son, Lance Burkhart; and siblings, Joan Carrington, Bobby Long, and Vance Long.

Those left to cherish Jenice’s memory include her husband, Willie Olsen; daughter, Kimberly Burkhart of Rockport; daughter, Monica Hendrix and son-in-law, Johnny Hendrix of Lorena; sisters, Karen Williams of Frost, Linda Goodman of Italy, and Nancy Grant and husband, Freddy of Tyler; granddaughter, Mandi Roberts and husband, Jonathon of Lorena; grandson, Dustin Smith and Amanda of Rockport; grandson, Chance Hendrix and wife, Suzy of China Spring; grandson, Jared Smith and wife, Kourtney of Quinlan; grandson, Brett Hendrix and wife, Nicole of Fort Collins, CO.; grandson, Tyler Smith of Golden, CO; great grandchildren, Corbin, Khloe, Lance, Kamryn, Jared Chasen, RaeLynn, Johnny, Payton, and Graham; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Willie and the family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at Compassus Hospice as well as Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple. Thank you for the care and comfort during this difficult time.