1926
Beatrice
2016
Beatrice Mae Olsen (Nelson)
November 6, 1926 — March 23, 2016
Beatrice Mae (Nelson) Olsen passed away at Kalamazoo MI on March 23, 2016 at the age of 89. She is predeceased by her parents Ivan Henry and Elizabeth (Filliung) Nelson and her younger sister Joyce (Nelson) Flint. Beatrice is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Theodore Albert Olsen.
Beatrice was born in Chicago IL and moved to Lyons IL at the age of 6. Her father Ivan was a proud and patriotic WWI veteran, who often had to live away from home to work to support his family. Her mother Elizabeth (Betty) was a homemaker with a talent for sewing and knitting. Her grandmother Filliung called Beatrice "Peaches." From 11 to 16, being a Girl Scout was the biggest joy of her life. She especially enjoyed working on her cooking badge, beginning a lifetime love of cooking and baking. A favorite teacher sparked Beatrice's passion for education, especially English and Social Studies.
In Lyons, Beatrice attended the Washington Elementary School and the Zion Evangelical Lutheran School. After graduating from J. Sterling Morton High School in Cicero IL, Beatrice attended Northern Illinois State Teachers College in DeKalb IL (now Northern Illinois University), earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 1948. She instilled this respect for formal education in her children and remained an ardent Huskies supporter all her life.
Beatrice met Theodore Albert Olsen while she attended college in his hometown of DeKalb. Mutual friends introduced them on a blind double date. When he asked her to dance that evening, she refused so he danced with a chair instead. He nearly missed his chance with her by insisting on singing songs like "I Can't Get Started with You" one too many times! "Bea" and "Ted" were married at the Sauganash Community Church in Chicago on September 4, 1948. They splurged by spending their wedding night at The Drake in Chicago and they honeymooned in Wisconsin. Their love of Door County never waned and they vacationed there every summer they could, even after moving to Kalamazoo MI. Moving to Kalamazoo in 1970 was a big event for Beatrice, Theodore, their five boys and her mother and father. While Ted needed to attend a conference in Puerto Rico, Beatrice orchestrated the household move. She was a loving mother and grandmother, always remembering birthdays and other special occasions with a phone call and a (typewritten) note. She often wrote letters to her grandchildren containing memories such as "Thoughts on Being 12" to share her wisdom. All the children and grandchildren received recipes for her famous dishes and Christmas cookies, passing on her love of cooking and baking to the next generation.
Bea had many close friends from all times of her life. As an elementary student in Lyons, her best friend was Louise Stella. During college, she met Virginia (Marshall) Shetter, who with her husband Warren earned the honorary titles of Aunt and Uncle to her five boys. Bea and Ted were also close friends with Gilbert and Gloria (Reynolds) Pantle. When the family lived moved to Libertyville IL in 1955, Bea became lifelong friends with neighbor Gladys Roper and, after moving to Michigan, their long distance phone calls were legendary. In Kalamazoo, many neighbors and church members become close friends as well. These included the Gourmet Club, who all enjoyed preparing and eating sumptuous dinners, and the Petoskey Gems, who loved to travel "Up North" in Michigan. Beatrice was close friends with Jan Christiansen of Kalamazoo, with whom she enjoyed many activities.
In addition to being a homemaker and raising their five boys, Beatrice started her career working for Wurlitzer in DeKalb IL and at Clark Linen and Equipment in Chicago. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Kalamazoo Public Schools and sold advertising for Encore Magazine. Following Ted's retirement from Mead Corporation, Bea worked as an office manager for The Mad Hatters and Bethany Christian Services, finally retiring in her late 70's.
Beatrice was passionate about her family, the arts in Kalamazoo, her Swedish heritage, and her Lutheran faith. She served on the Board of Directors for the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra. She held various positions in the Vasa Order of America. She was a member St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Mundelein IL. She also served on many councils and pastoral search committees at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, where she was a dedicated member for 46 years.
In addition to her husband Theodore, Beatrice is survived by her five sons and their families: Thomas Craig Olsen and Margaret (Robart) Olsen of Kalamazoo and their children Mallory (and fiancé Victor Guerrieri) of Chicago, and Logan and Evan, both of Kalamazoo; Eric Jon Olsen and Sara (Dejoras) Olsen of Minneapolis MN, and his children Sarah of Binghamton NY, Catherine and Thomas, both of Minneapolis; Howard Paul Olsen and his daughter Elizabeth of Kalamazoo and her mother Patricia (Lyons) Olsen of Comstock MI; Peter Andrew Olsen and Tammy (Gorby) Olsen of Lawton MI and their sons Jeffrey (and wife Shannon) of Kalamazoo and Matthew of Lawton; and Douglas Theodore Olsen and Maureen (Murphy) Olsen and their daughters Margaret and Anya, all of Needham MA. She is also survived by her nephew, Michael J. Flint of Virginia Beach, VA.
The funeral service for Christian burial will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1747 W. Milham Road Portage MI 49024 on Friday April 15, 2016. Pastor Thomas Pederson will officiate. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., with a service at 10:30 a.m., and a reception to follow at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A private burial service for immediate family will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Beatrice's name may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
1747 W. Milham Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49024
1747 W. Milham Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49024
1747 W. Milham Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49024
Beatrice was born in Chicago IL and moved to Lyons IL at the age of 6. Her father Ivan was a proud and patriotic WWI veteran, who often had to live away from home to work to support his family. Her mother Elizabeth (Betty) was a homemaker with a talent for sewing and knitting. Her grandmother Filliung called Beatrice "Peaches." From 11 to 16, being a Girl Scout was the biggest joy of her life. She especially enjoyed working on her cooking badge, beginning a lifetime love of cooking and baking. A favorite teacher sparked Beatrice's passion for education, especially English and Social Studies.
In Lyons, Beatrice attended the Washington Elementary School and the Zion Evangelical Lutheran School. After graduating from J. Sterling Morton High School in Cicero IL, Beatrice attended Northern Illinois State Teachers College in DeKalb IL (now Northern Illinois University), earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 1948. She instilled this respect for formal education in her children and remained an ardent Huskies supporter all her life.
Beatrice met Theodore Albert Olsen while she attended college in his hometown of DeKalb. Mutual friends introduced them on a blind double date. When he asked her to dance that evening, she refused so he danced with a chair instead. He nearly missed his chance with her by insisting on singing songs like "I Can't Get Started with You" one too many times! "Bea" and "Ted" were married at the Sauganash Community Church in Chicago on September 4, 1948. They splurged by spending their wedding night at The Drake in Chicago and they honeymooned in Wisconsin. Their love of Door County never waned and they vacationed there every summer they could, even after moving to Kalamazoo MI. Moving to Kalamazoo in 1970 was a big event for Beatrice, Theodore, their five boys and her mother and father. While Ted needed to attend a conference in Puerto Rico, Beatrice orchestrated the household move. She was a loving mother and grandmother, always remembering birthdays and other special occasions with a phone call and a (typewritten) note. She often wrote letters to her grandchildren containing memories such as "Thoughts on Being 12" to share her wisdom. All the children and grandchildren received recipes for her famous dishes and Christmas cookies, passing on her love of cooking and baking to the next generation.
Bea had many close friends from all times of her life. As an elementary student in Lyons, her best friend was Louise Stella. During college, she met Virginia (Marshall) Shetter, who with her husband Warren earned the honorary titles of Aunt and Uncle to her five boys. Bea and Ted were also close friends with Gilbert and Gloria (Reynolds) Pantle. When the family lived moved to Libertyville IL in 1955, Bea became lifelong friends with neighbor Gladys Roper and, after moving to Michigan, their long distance phone calls were legendary. In Kalamazoo, many neighbors and church members become close friends as well. These included the Gourmet Club, who all enjoyed preparing and eating sumptuous dinners, and the Petoskey Gems, who loved to travel "Up North" in Michigan. Beatrice was close friends with Jan Christiansen of Kalamazoo, with whom she enjoyed many activities.
In addition to being a homemaker and raising their five boys, Beatrice started her career working for Wurlitzer in DeKalb IL and at Clark Linen and Equipment in Chicago. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Kalamazoo Public Schools and sold advertising for Encore Magazine. Following Ted's retirement from Mead Corporation, Bea worked as an office manager for The Mad Hatters and Bethany Christian Services, finally retiring in her late 70's.
Beatrice was passionate about her family, the arts in Kalamazoo, her Swedish heritage, and her Lutheran faith. She served on the Board of Directors for the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra. She held various positions in the Vasa Order of America. She was a member St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Mundelein IL. She also served on many councils and pastoral search committees at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, where she was a dedicated member for 46 years.
In addition to her husband Theodore, Beatrice is survived by her five sons and their families: Thomas Craig Olsen and Margaret (Robart) Olsen of Kalamazoo and their children Mallory (and fiancé Victor Guerrieri) of Chicago, and Logan and Evan, both of Kalamazoo; Eric Jon Olsen and Sara (Dejoras) Olsen of Minneapolis MN, and his children Sarah of Binghamton NY, Catherine and Thomas, both of Minneapolis; Howard Paul Olsen and his daughter Elizabeth of Kalamazoo and her mother Patricia (Lyons) Olsen of Comstock MI; Peter Andrew Olsen and Tammy (Gorby) Olsen of Lawton MI and their sons Jeffrey (and wife Shannon) of Kalamazoo and Matthew of Lawton; and Douglas Theodore Olsen and Maureen (Murphy) Olsen and their daughters Margaret and Anya, all of Needham MA. She is also survived by her nephew, Michael J. Flint of Virginia Beach, VA.
The funeral service for Christian burial will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1747 W. Milham Road Portage MI 49024 on Friday April 15, 2016. Pastor Thomas Pederson will officiate. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., with a service at 10:30 a.m., and a reception to follow at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A private burial service for immediate family will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Beatrice's name may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Visitation
APR 15. 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church1747 W. Milham Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49024
Service
APR 15. 10:30 AM
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church1747 W. Milham Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49024
Reception
APR 15. 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church1747 W. Milham Rd.
Portage, MI, US, 49024
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