Claudia Irene Oleson
May 6, 1917 - September 2, 2018
Obituary
Arrived in 1917 and Departed in 2018
Claudia Irene Stowman was born in Hydro, Montana in May 6, 1917. She was raised on the farm tending to the fields at age of 8. She was orphaned at age 11. She was under care of relatives on the farm where she became a hard worker. She grew up in Lemmon, South Dakota and attended school there.
She married Harding H. Oleson in February 17, 1943 and they were married well into their golden anniversary and beyond. They had no children, but they cared for their deaf niece during the school years so she could attend special schools. They supported her through Gallaudet University, the world’s only college for the Deaf at that time in Washington, DC.
During the war, she was a Rosie the Riveter in Seattle, Washington and also a volunteer for the Red Cross Unit I and Unit II caring for the sick and for mothers with children.
After marriage, she worked with her husband as an accountant for H.& H. Oleson, Corporation. They sold their gravel and pit near I-90 Highway along with several dump trucks. They also owned properties in Hawaii, Arizona, and Washington.
Claudia was an avid member of Bellevue Way Community Church where she was an Awana leader for over 31 years. She was also a strong supporter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Republican Party, and various religious organizations such as the Jewish people in Israel, International Evangelist Rabbi K.A. Schneider, Billy Graham and more.
She loved working in her garden well into her 90’s until at age 97 she moved to Overlake Terrace Assisted Living. There she took the opportunity to share her love for the Lord with fellow residents.
She passed away on Sept. 2, 2018 at Evergreen Hospice Services in Kirkland, Washington. She will be missed by residents and staff at Overlake Terrace, members of her church, and her loved ones. She is survived by her nieces, Arlyce Vaught Watson, Karen Stowman McCullen, and her nephews, Kenneth Stowman, Keith Stowman, Gary Vaught and Ricky Vaught.
The viewing will be held from 10am to 2pm on Friday, September 14, 2018 at Bonney Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188 and the memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Bellevue Way Community Church, 10431 SE 11th St, Bellevue, WA 98004.