Jane K. Olson
October 10, 1914 - October 17, 2013
Obituary
JANE K. OLSON (KUHN)
10 October 1914-17 October 2013
Old time Ballardites will appreciate that mom’s last meal was sweet and sour chicken from Louie’s in Ballard. It is not easy to describe mom in a couple of paragraphs. The family appreciated her lively personality, love of reading, great baking, world travel to over 40 countries, and her tender heart when she saw a need. She is survived by her children: Mary (Victor) Obrastoff, Carol A. (Leon) Pitt-Olson, James Alton Olson (Laura Chacon), Janice Kay (Jed) Olson-Cowan, grandchildren, Kari (Mel) Mersberg, Eric (Claire) Hogan, Josef Alton Olson and great-grandchildren, Chase and Riley Mersberg, Oliver and Lissie Hogan.
(Ellen) Jane Kuhn was born in Hepburn (Page County) Iowa to Thomas Lavelle and Clara (Daugherty) Kuhn. Her Iowa roots and connections were always strong. Her siblings preceded her in death: Lavelle (Arthur) King, Thomas (Danubio) Kuhn, Kenneth Kuhn, and the twins, Charles Phillip and James Andrew (Beverly is still living in Topeka). Jane also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews.
In the late 1930s Mom visited Ballard and met Kenneth Alton Olson who worked at Seattle Cedar and who was active in labor unions. They married in Bedford (Taylor County) Iowa on 10 June 1939. In 1940 they purchased a home in Ballard.
Mom’s higher education began at the Iowa State Teachers College. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse and later in Soldier, Iowa. From 1955 to 1968 she worked in the library at the Seattle Times. Love of teaching brought her back to SPC where she earned a B.A. and a M.Ed. She taught at Webster and Broadview elementary schools in Seattle.
Northminster Presbyterian Church in Seattle was an important part of her life. Many life friendships were formed and rewarding projects were done with the minister, Mr. Dunlap. They were devoted to the Sunday School Program. Later, the North Star was her beloved social and service group at the church.
A rewarding part of mom’s life was her work and visits in the Philippines with the Pacha family and community of Padre Burgos (S. Leyte). Working with the community and North Star, she founded a library and helped many students go to college. In her 80s she taught at the College of Maasin and St James College. Words cannot express the joy and love she experienced in these relationships.
Please remember her by reading Winnie-the-Pooh, baking from scratch and, of course, always using real whipping cream. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Northminster Church for projects which will enable them to better serve those in need in the community. Close to her heart would also be donating books or money for adult literacy or children’s programs.
