Gene Olafsen, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away in Irving, Texas on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the age of 95 after an extended illness.
Gene was born on June 2, 1927 in Dickson, Tennessee, to Arthur and Nettie Smith, as the sixth of thirteen children. She grew up in a musically gifted family and enjoyed listening to her father, Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith, on the Grand Ole Opry. Gene graduated from high school in Decatur, Alabama, where she also worked full time in the local drug store to help support her family. After graduation she moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she met her first husband, Ed Demonbreun. Gene and Ed raised their four children in Tulsa, Oklahoma before moving to Irving, Texas in 1968. Throughout their time together Gene and Ed loved to square dance, travel to Hawaii and San Juan, and collect antiques.
Gene spent 30 years working for American Airlines as an instructor and supervisor who was widely respected for her work on international tariffs and ticketing. Gene also had a successful career as a realtor with her second husband, Bill Olafsen. Together the two were widely known as the “O-Team.” Additionally, Gene and Bill enjoyed traveling together, spending time with their family, and working on many charity events.
Imbued with boundless community spirit, Gene shared her time and talents with many local worthy causes, including the Lyric Stage League, the Irving Symphony League, Irving Community Theater (now Irving Mainstage Theater), the Irving Hospital Foundation, and Irving Cares. Gene began her volunteer work in the 1970s when she would come home from work at American Airlines and sew costumes for the Irving Community Theater late into the night. In 1989, her dedication to the arts led her to help develop the Irving Community Theater Guild. Because of her loyalty, work, and dedication, Gene received the honor of the Irving Community Theater Guild Star Award in 2004.
In addition, Gene received the 2002-2003 Distinguished Service Award for her volunteer work with the Irving Symphony League for chairing and organizing the Camelot and Millennium Balls. In 2006, the City of Irving and the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau honored Gene as an Irving High Spirited Citizen for the nearly 40 years she served the arts, education, and medical communities in Irving. In 2012, Gene was honored as an Exemplary Woman of Irving for being a tireless champion of the theater and musical arts.
Gene had many passions and hobbies. She traveled all over the world well into her nineties, venturing to over thirty-five countries during her lifetime. Her last big adventure abroad was a trip to Egypt in 2018. Gene was an avid oil painter, often painting new scenes for her family and for her annual Christmas cards. Following in her musical family’s footsteps, Gene was a wonderful songwriter. Her favorite song that she wrote was “Angel By My Side”, and she continued writing new songs into the final year of her life. Another passion of Gene’s was playing card games with her family and friends. She was a frequent bridge player, and loved playing Hand and Foot, especially with her grandchildren. Gene was a true fan of her beloved Dallas Cowboys and Alabama Crimson Tide.
Gene will be dearly missed by her husband, Bill Olafsen, daughters Dana Merritt (Tom), Donna Femrite, and Denise Demonbreun, son David Demonbreun (Paula), granddaughters Margaux Gillman (Chad) and Taylor Demonbreun, grandson Edward Demonbreun, great-grandchildren Rand, Finn, and Scout, brother William “Blackie” Smith, sisters-in-law Peggy Smith, Nina Smith, and Ruth Brink, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Gene is preceded in death by her first husband, Ed Demonbreun, parents Arthur and Nettie Smith, sisters Levonne Brown, Geraldine Walp, Ted Carlisle, Pat Slatton, and Dot Barham, brothers Earnest Smith, Junior Smith, Bobby Smith, Don Smith, Jackie Smith, and Doug Smith, and sons-in-law Van Gillman and John Femrite.
In her memory and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Gene Demonbreun Olafsen to Irving Mainstage Theater, 222 E. Irving Blvd, Irving, TX 75060…
To Donate Please Click Here
Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Ben F. Brown’s Funeral Home, 707 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX. The memorial service will take place at 2:00 pm. Burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.