Elizabeth Ann Olson

Elizabeth (Betty) Olson died peacefully surrounded by her family on June 5, 2014 in Grand Haven, MI. Betty was born on August 19, 1927 in Toledo, Ohio, the first of three sisters to Ellsworth & Lydia Tait. Betty moved to Kalamazoo with her family after high school and attended Michigan State University. She was united in marriage to Irving Olson on November 20, 1948 and was a member of St. Monica Church. Betty and Irv had 15 children together and Betty spent many happy hours caring for her large brood. Betty’s passions included painting and drawing, writing bird watching and gardening. She was an avid reader who relished talking politics. She had a great sense of fun and spent many happy hours of her life talking and laughing with her big family. She and Irv loved to go to movies and the theatre, especially musicals at the Barn Theatre in Augusta. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Irving on Oct. 13, 2009. Also preceding were sons Phillip Valentine & Charles Andrew. Surviving are 6 sons, John, Thomas, Edgar, Mark (Shelly), Matthew, Robert Olson; 7 daughters, Christine (Mike) Cooper, Nancy Gordon, Sue (Mike) Kirvan, Sandy (Mark Schwerin) Olson, Barb Olson, Becca Olson, Patty (Tom) Buckingham; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren. Friends are being received Monday June 9, 2014 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm with a rosary at 7:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 am at St. Monica Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Lawrence Farrell, Celebrant. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Monica Church or Barn Theatre. Arrangements by Redmond Funeral Home, 4100 S. Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49008, (269) 343-6156. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net