Obituary of Gail Louise Olmstead

Gail Louise Olmstead (nee Winell) died Dec. 5 after a very brief, but courageous battle with leukemia. Gail was born Feb. 11, 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Arnold and Arline Winell. The second oldest and only girl among four boys, Gail grew up on a corn farm in Kent City. Gail graduated from Central Michigan University and spent almost her entire career at Michigan Bell and Ameritech before she retired in 2001.

She married Richard Olmstead Jr. on May 14, 1976 and the couple settled in Plainwell, Mich. Gail was known for her baked goods, enjoyed cheering on her daughter Rachel at various sporting events, spending time at the family’s cottage on Gun Lake and going for evening walks around the neighborhood with her husband.

After retiring in 2001, the couple moved to Lakeland, Fla. where they lived for 17 years. In retirement, Gail took up golf, water aerobics and pickle ball and stayed busy volunteering in the gift shop at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Together, she and Richard enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. The couple relocated to Eagan, Minnesota in 2018.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Arline Winell, and her son-in-law Colin Brougham. She is survived by her husband Richard, daughter Rachel (Matt Wenzel) and grandson Thomas Brougham. She is also survived by her brothers Arnold, Dan, Jim (Sandy) and Gary (Sandy), along with several nieces, nephews and close friends.

Interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. A graveside memorial will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.