Laurie Olson
Laurie Beth Johanson Olson was born March 16, 1948, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the second child of Maurice and Inez Fevold Johanson. Although she wore many hats in life–teacher, entrepreneur, coach, volunteer, friend–Laurie’s most cherished role was that of mother, grandmother and wife.
After a nearly eight-year battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, she died on August 3, 2024, at Elk Run Assisted Living in Evergreen, Colorado. She was 76.
Laurie grew up in Badger, Iowa. She graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1966 and attended Iowa State University, where she earned an elementary education degree in 1970. There, she met Howard “Skip” Olson II, and they were married on March 6, 1970, at Badger Lutheran Church.
Skip joined the U.S. Air Force in September 1970 and was stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia, until his discharge in May 1974. In Virginia, Laurie taught first grade. They had three children: Ian (1974), Christopher (1977) and Eric (1980). The family moved between Iowa and Texas before settling in Evergreen, Colorado in 1994.
Laurie was the co-founder and owner of Whimsical Wicks and worked as a sales rep at Chinook Sales Associates. She served as president of Drive Smart Evergreen/Conifer, coached the Evergreen High School pom squad, and produced two inspirational booklets: “Jump Starts” and Angel Starts.”
Laurie was predeceased by her parents and in-laws, Howard and Virginia Olson, brother-in-law Eric Olson, and nephew Brent Danielson. She is survived by her children Ian (wife Lesley Kennedy), Christopher (wife Kimberley) and Eric (wife Sara); seven grandchildren (Grace, Anna, Brooke, Whitney, Charlotte, Troy and Virginia); sister, Anne Johanson Danielson (husband Vern); brother, Steve Johanson (wife Kathy); sister-in-law, Karen Hux (husband Alan); six nieces and nephews, 13 great-nieces and nephews, and one great-great niece.
A celebration of life will be held September 7 at 2 p.m. at Church of the Cross, Evergreen, Colorado.