The Legacy of Ransom Eli Olds
Throughout his life, Ransom Eli Olds received recognition, awards, and accolades. Perhaps best known for founding the Oldsmobile Motor Company, Olds also started or helped to arrange several other companies, from parts suppliers to banks. Olds was also the first person to make use of an assembly line for the production of his automobiles. Henry Ford automated the assembly line some time later. Though Ransom E. Olds departed this life 64 years ago, his death has not disqualified him from current recognition and award.
Preservation Lansing, recognizing the recent repairs and renovations to the Olds Mausoleum in Lansing’s Mt. Hope Cemetery, entertained a nomination for the stately structure in the category “Non-Residential Project Costing Less Than $1 Million”. The specificity of the category was appreciated by Olds’ great-granddaughter Debbie Stephens, who along with her two sisters paid for the repair and restoration of the mausoleum.
“Non-residential – I like that,” she said. “It does have residents, but…”
This and other awards were given out this week at an event at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum. Attendees were served hors d’ouevres and cocktails by roller-skating car hops. Winners of the Preservation Lansing awards were presented with a specially commissioned Pewabic Pottery plaque.
The process of designing and constructing one’s own mausoleum likely is not undertaken in the hopes that it will win awards for your future descendants, but rather to be a perpetual memorial for your unique life. However, recognition such as this is a distinct possibility and bolsters your life’s legacy while providing a lasting sense of pride to your family, generations down the line.
Unlike in the time of the construction of the R.E. Olds Family Mausoleum, reputable companies today exist which maintain the structural integrity of your personally conceived and designed mausoleum. Working with Forever Legacy not only ensures that your family possesses one of the most expertly crafted structures, but also that future generations will not be required to provide funds for the upkeep and repair of your family’s final resting place. Contact Forever Legacy today to schedule your complimentary consultation: (800) 298-4188.
