Mrs. Betty L. Olson, 90, of Galesburg, IL, died 8:18 p.m. Sunday May 14, 2017 at her home in Evergreen, Colorado.
She was born February 3, 1927 in Burlington, IA to Chester and Elsie Hofmann Schnicker. She married Kenneth C. Olson on June 5, 1947 in Burlington, IA. He preceded her death on April 14, 2002.
Surviving are two daughters, Deedra Kaspar of Evergreen, CO and Debra Polillo (Steve Knuth) of Colorado Springs, CO, one brother Harold Schnicker of Burlington, IA, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, Dylan McDonough and Silas Bailey, and little baby Theo Olson Bailey who is due any day.
Betty was not only a homemaker but was also a business partner with husband Kenny at Olson’s of Galesburg for 30 years. She graduated from Burlington High School (Burlington, IA) in 1944. She was member of Messiah Lutheran Church (Henderson Grove, IL).
Betty was an avid flower gardener and maintained an extensive arrangement in their country home. She also had a beautiful rock collection that she accumulated over the years. Betty loved being out in the sun and enjoying nature and country life, listening to and watching birds, elk, deer, and big horn sheep. She never turned down a game of dominos, loved dining out with family and friends and crossword puzzles. She also loved playing card games, read every night and listening to her music, and watching Dancing with the Stars, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Lawrence Welk, golf every Sunday afternoon (without exception).
Betty and her husband, Kenny, owned a beautiful lake front lot at Oak Run for over 40 years and later passed on to their daughters. It hosted many weekend gatherings, family reunions, birthday parties along with several other special times being had with close friends and family.
Betty truly enjoyed having her grandkids out to the country home where they came out to go sledding, snowmobiling, and sometimes got into mischief (getting lost in the timber, driving off and getting lost on the country roads with their lawnmower).
Betty and family spent most of their life vacationing in Colorado and had her honeymoon in Estes Park. She moved there in December 2014 where she enjoyed the frequent company of her daughters and many special events, holidays, birthdays, and her 90th birthday in February when her entire family came out to visit.
Keeping in contact with family and friends was very important for Betty and she loved reaching out to others and keeping in regular contact with them, sending holiday and birthday cards, and phone calls. She was so proud of her grandchildren and their accomplishments and hearing about their adventures.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Messiah Lutheran Church, Henderson Grove, Illinois. Rev. Kurt Carlsen will officiate. Burial will be in Henderson Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2017 at Hinchliff- Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Memorials may be made to Henderson Grove Cemetery Fund or Mount Evans Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
