Mary Jane Olson

Mary Jane Olson, of Overland Park, Kansas, entered heaven and met Jesus on May 16th, 2018.
Mary was born in Eau Claire Wisconsin on September 11, 1929 to Frederick and Agnes Thoermer. She grew up in Eau Claire and graduated from High School there, and then attended the Wisconsin Teachers College. She had an older sister Judy and a younger brother Jim. She loved being outside, taking long bike rides, picking strawberries, and going to Luther camp.

Mary moved to Chicago, IL and worked downtown in the loop, where she met her husband Robert Olson. Bob was crazy about her. They were married on December 18th, 1954 during a blizzard in Eau Claire. They lived in an apartment in Chicago, bought a house, and on November 23, 1960, Mary gave birth to twins, Lynda and Fred. The family grew up in Park Ridge, IL, where Mary enjoyed ladies Bible studies, serving at the school, and attending the kid's activities. She even managed one of Fred's little league baseball games when Bob was caught at work downtown.

The Olson family moved to Overland Park, KS in 1974, when Bob was transferred with his job. Mary quickly got involved in church activities, had wonderful friends, kept busy with the kids, and for many years helped to host and lead a Youth for Christ Bible Club in the home, where her influence impacted hundreds of kids' lives. She was always known as Mrs. O. She enjoyed traveling with Bob and had many fun trips after he retired.

Mary and Bob welcomed Rod into the family in 1983, and were blessed with two grandchildren, Lauren and Jared. The kids were moms joy and she spent countless hours for years taking them to the airport to watch planes, to Dahl's diner, and running through the sprinkler. Mary was also great grandma Mary to Nora, Anderson, and Deacon.

Mary was later blessed with a daughter in law, Cynthia, in 2006, and three grandchildren, Ashely, Allyson, and Marc. She was later blessed with two great grandchildren, Haddie and Louie.

After Bob passed away in 2005, Mary spent much of her life in several assisted living and nursing facilities, where she always loved the activities, Bible studies, and above all, the staff and other residents. She was always looking to serve others and make them feel important.

Mary is loved and will be terribly missed. Mary is survived by her children, Fred (Cynthia) Olson, Lynda (Rod) Janzen, grandchildren Lauren (Eric) Eberspacher, Jared Janzen, Ashley (Seth) Higgins, Allyson (Kevin) McElvain, Marc Trujillo, and great grandchildren Nora, Anderson, Deacon Eberspacher, and Haddie and Louie Higgins.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Bob, and her sister, Judy (Holbrook).

Services will be held on Monday, May 21 at College Church of the Nazarene in the Garrett Chapel, 2020 E Sheridan Street, Olathe, KS, 66062. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, and a celebration of her life will begin at 6:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Missions Southside, a ministry that offers help and hope to the under resourced in Johnson County, KS.