Maria Rosa Bologna Olivas, 81, died of natural causes Nov. 9 at her home in Wasilla. A visitation will be held Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and a rosary at 6 p.m., at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 South Check Street in Wasilla. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday at 11 a.m., with Fr. Bill Fournier officiating at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla. Pallbearers are Christopher Brummer, Jaysen Brummer, Anthony Brummer, John Ace, Sondra Ace and Sr. Teresita Marie of the Beloved.

Maria was born March 25, 1928 in Detroit to Joseph and Maria Bologna.

She moved to Alaska in 1973. Maria was a homemaker and loved taking care of her family. She had many interests and loved to crochet, visiting with friends and family, arts and crafts and was an expert cake decorator. She was also a brown belt in karate.

Her family wrote, “Maria was a good and faithful wife of 61 years. She was a wonderful, caring, loving mother and awesome ‘Grama.’ She loved everyone and brought a smile to everyone she came in contact with. She is the heart of our family.”

She was preceded in death by her son, Harry Leo Olivas, Jr.; her parents and brothers, Joe and Anthony Bologna.

She is survived by her husband, Harry Leo Olivas of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Sondra and John Ace of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law, Mario and Roberta Olivas of LaJara, N.M.; brothers, Sam and Dominic Bologna of San Pedro, Calif.; grandsons, Jaysen L., Anthony M.C. and Christopher P. Brummer all of Wasilla, John P. and Haley Brummer of Oregon, Ignacio M. and Felicia G. Olivas both of LaJara; granddaughters, Sr. Teresita Marie of the Beloved of Jemez Springs, N.M., Anna R. Brummer of LaJara, great-grandsons, Alejandro and Abbrey Morales both of LaJara and Tristan Rourke Brummer of Oregon.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel in Wasilla.