Beverly J. Olson, 88, of Marquette, Kansas died on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Riverview Estates Nursing home, Marquette, Kansas.
Beverly Jean (Johnson) Olson was born on August 9, 1931 in Alcester, South Dakota to Dr. Carl
- and Lila (Gubbrud) Johnson. Her older sister Joyce Eileen eagerly awaited her arrival. Later
her two brothers Robert Dean and Edward Neil joined the family.
Beverly attended grade school and high school at Alcester High School and was baptized and
confirmed at Nathaneal Lutheran Church in Alcester. She attended Bethany College in
Lindsborg, KS where she received her 60 hour teaching certificate and taught first grade for
one year in Canton, South Dakota. While attending Bethany College, she met LaRue Olson who
was a member of he Bethany Pitchpipers Quartet. After LaRue completed 2 years serving in
the US Army during the Korean war, he returned home in October of 1952. Not that Beverly
was eager, but they were married on November 22, 1952 at Nathaneal Lutheran Church in
Alcester, South Dakota.
Beverly found a real home at Elim Lutheran Church in Marquette KS. She gave of her time
teaching Sunday School for years and held all of the offices of W.E.L.C.A, She was also active
in American Legion Auxiliary, The Order of Eastern Star, Marquette Women’s Literary Club for 50 years, and she served on the Marquette Community Library Board. She also enjoyed singing in the Elim Lutheran
Choir. Beverly was a licensed funeral director and helped with the family businesses, Olson
Furniture & Funeral Home of Marquette. Living in the funeral home was a big part of her life
and when the businesses closed in 2005 she admitted she missed it.
Her ancestry was important to her as one of the few Norwegians in town. She proudly
displayed her personal license plate of “UFFDA” on her car.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband LaRue, her sister Joyce Pearson,
brother-in-law Lowell Pearson, brother Neil Johnson, and sister-in-law Eldora Johnson.
Survivors include her daughter, Renet Ann Mitchell and husband Lowell, Vail, AZ, her son Dana Grant Olson and wife Julie, Marquette, KS; her brother, Robert Johnson and wife Mildred, Peoria, AZ; four grandchildren, Lauren Johnson and husband Jeremy, Lincoln NE, Brooke Olson, Marquette, KS, Brit Mitchell, Merriam, KS and Dixon Olson and wife Kate, Valley Center, KS; her favorite great grandson, Kolton Johnson of Lincoln, NE, and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the Elim Lutheran Church, Marquette, Kansas.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2019 at the Elim Lutheran Church, Marquette, Kansas with Reverend Amy Kay Pavlovich and PMA Wally Bunk.
Burial will be at the Lutheran Cemetery, Marquette, Kansas.
Memorials to Elim Lutheran Church, Riverview Estates, or the Marquette Community Library and they can be sent in care of Glidden – Ediger Funeral Home, 222 West Euclid Street, McPherson, Kansas 67460.