Kathleen Beth (White) Olson passed away Aug. 8, 2014.
Family is the thing that Kathy lived for.
Kathleen White was born June 16, 1932, to Herbert Edgar and Laura Susan (Snyder) White in Orofino, Idaho. She was raised in Weippe, Idaho, and lost her dear mother at a young age.
When Kathy was 16 years old, she met the love of her life, John Andrew Olson, of Gillett. Mr. Olson had been recruited to help deliver a saw mill to Weippe, Idaho. While in Weippe, Mr. Olson found himself called to assist in putting out a house fire in Weippe. Ms. White happened to be nearby watching the activities that day.
Kathy finished high school, and John Olson enlisted for service in World War II. The couple wrote to each other for several years but never forgot the fire that was kindled in their first meeting. Kathy attended nursing school in Walla Walla, Washington, when Mr. Olson returned to the northwest to claim the love he couldn’t forget. The couple was married April 14, 1952, (Easter) and left for Wisconsin that day to begin a new life together.
John and Kathy raised two children on a farm near Underhill. Kathy continued her nursing career as an licensed practical nurse for the Oconto Falls hospital and subsequently Dr. Klutzow, of Gillett. Kathy left her career to become a full-time mother and wife for the remainder of her life.
Kathy is survived by her husband, John, of Gillett; a son, Stephen, and a daughter, Laurel, both of Appleton; stepgranddaughter, Jessie Braatz, of Plymouth; niece, Linda Hutchins, of Weippe, Idaho; and many friends and extended family members.
Kathy’s passions were nurturing family, pets and plants, genealogy, collecting antiques and homemaking.
Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 10-11 a.m. at Tabor United Methodist Church in Gillett. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. with Pastor Gerhardt officiating. Interment will be in Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery following the service.
Kuehl Funeral Home, 920-855-2144, is assisting the family.
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