Lynne E. Olivigni, 72, of Hillsboro died Dec. 25, 2024, in St. Louis. Mrs. Olivigni grew up in Grand Island, Neb. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she met her husband, Fran. She was recognized as one of the top 10 student teachers in her graduating class of 1974. She began her teaching career in Wilber, Neb., and continued to teach elementary and preschool classes for many years. Lynne and Fran were married on June 29, 1975, in Lincoln, Neb., and their travels took them from Lincoln to St. Louis to Salina, Kan., to Marshall, Minn., back to St. Louis and finally to Hillsboro for retirement. A lover of nature, she was passionate about gardening, working in the yard and volunteering at the Kress Farm Garden Preserve. She also loved to hike and was an avid reader. She was a member of the Cyrcle of Friends, a group that was founded in the early 80s at the Salina, Kan., YWCA. Most of all, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Born June 7, 1952, in Hastings, Neb., she was the daughter of the late Charles R. and WandaLee (Knigge) McMillan.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years: Francis "Fran" Olivigni of Hillsboro; a daughter: Jennifer (Joe) Hoffmann of Naperville, Ill.; two sons: Jonathan (Tera) Olivigni of Mt. Zion, Ill., and Michael (Ilanai) Olivigni of Puyallup, Wash.; five grandchildren: T.J. and Addison Olivigni, Loren and Eli Hoffmann and Li'lli Olivigni; a sister: Cathy (Dan) Schmaderer of Fremont, Neb.; two brothers: Bob (Pam) McMillan of Omaha, Neb., and Mike McMillan of Asheville, N.C.; three sisters-in-law: Lorna (Steve) Triplett of Williamsburg, Va., Lisa Olivigni of Lincoln, Neb., and Kathy McMillan of St. Peters; and a brother-in-law: Larry Davidson of Lincoln, Neb.
She was preceded in death by a sister-in-law: Karen Davidson.
Per Mrs. Olivigni’s wishes, there will be no services held. Memorials may be made to the Kress Farm Garden Preserve, kressfarm.org, or to the Missouri Botanical Garden, missouribotanicalgarden.org/donate. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home in De Soto.