Olivia (Opie) Ann Huddleston

Olivia (Opie) Ann Huddleston was born on November 4, 1939, in Axtell, Kansas, to Edward and Beulah (Robbins) Froom.

Olivia didn't fit the typical mold of a girl in the 1940's. Instead of housework, she preferred the outdoors. You could find her swimming in the pond, climbing out her window and shimmying down the fireplace chimney, hanging out with her cousin Norman, and tending to the livestock, particularly the horses. She was a wild child and grew into the strong-willed woman we all knew.

Olivia attended Axtell Schools and graduated in 1957. She married Don Huddleston on October 17, 1958. They lived in Topeka and Manhattan before settling in Vermillion with their young girls. She worked at the Vermillion State Bank for over 30 years prior to her retirement. Don proceeded her in death in 2001.

Opie's love for horses led her to showing Arabians for many years. She attended horse shows across the United States competing in English, Western, Side Saddle and Native Costume. She was self-taught, learning on the go, long before Google videos were available to give you tips. These trips laid the foundation for her next great horse adventure – trail riding.

Opie was involved in both the Kansas Trail Council and the National American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC). She was an officer of the Kansas Trail Council, a NATRC competitive rider, and she was the co-organizer of the annual Tuttle Creek Trail Ride for over 25 years. She was involved in the establishment, management, and upkeep of many riding trails. You could often find her cutting trees, moving rocks, lugging around a chain saw half her weight and generally telling everyone else around her what to do. She was never afraid to get sweaty and dirty. Opie was awarded a Presidential National Volunteer Award for her work with the Kansas Trail Council and the hours she dedicated to the horse trail riding community.

Many will remember her as full of energy and high spirited. She was feisty, determined, and never stopped talking. She whole-heartedly loved her family, friends, her horses, and many other critters that crossed her path.

She is survived by her daughters Chantel Volkman (Erich) of Spring Hill, Kim Swanson (Jim) of Axtell, and her grandchildren Marissa and Caleb Volkman, and Adam Swanson.

Happy Trails Op, We Love You.

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Celebration of Life – Oliva Huddleston

Come share stories and remember Opie's life.

Altstadt Community Center

November 25th, 10 am – 2 pm

200 North Kansas Avenue, Frankfort KS 66427

In Memory of Opie Huddleston

In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations to The Lighthouse, 1189 US-77, Marysville, Kansas 66508 in support of the residents and animals there.