A remarkable woman has left us.
Gertrude Eleanor Olson died November 9th 2022 at home surrounded by
her family. She was born in Lindsborg, KS on May 24, 1920 to Alma and
Jack Byrn. After attending Bethany College she taught in a one room
school. On June 14, 1941 she married her High School sweetheart,
Erwin Olson, and began a life of great adventure. Together they had
three children, Brenda, Charles and Kent. Never one to be left
behind, she learned to ski in the Rocky Mountains, played golf and
tennis, hiked and camped, and loved to hunt and fish. She was also an
avid bridge player well past 100. Always an impeccable dresser, she
had a separate wardrobe for each of these activities. She sat at her
dressing table and ?put on her face? every morning until shortly
before her death.
The great passion of her life was
music. She was the concert mistress of the Mid Kansas Orchestra for
many years and also taught students in her home. After their son
died in 1968, Gertrude and Erwin established the Charles Olson
Memorial Fund to help students afford music lessons.
Gertrude was very active in her church,
Salem United Methodist, and the community. She belonged to a number
of organizations and was named Newton's Woman of the Year. Her love
of travel began when Erwin was stationed in England with the Air
Force in 1952. Together they explored the world. Her only
unfulfilled destination was Egypt where she wanted to float on the
Nile. No doubt she is doing that now.
Gertrude is survived by her children:
Brenda (Tom) Covert of Nathrop, CO, Kent (Cornelia Krahn) Olson of
Boulder, CO, grandchildren Brian (Nenita) Covert, Jill Koshiol,
Katherine (Jason Rogers) Olson, Andrew (Emily Hedges) Olson and two
great grandchildren Jack and Eleanor Rogers.
She is preceded in death by her husband
of 75 years, Erwin, her son Charles, her parents and siblings.
In lieu of flowers please make
donations to the Charles Olson Memorial Fund through the Central
Kansas Community Foundation.
Services are pending and will be
announced by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
