Gottfred Paul Olsen's Obituary
Dr. Gottfred Olsen, age 75, passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021, in Dallas, Texas.
He was born to Ernest and Effie Olsen on August 15, 1946, in Peterborough, New Hampshire. As missionaries on furlough from Peru, his family expected to welcome a fifth child, and unexpectedly were gifted with twins, Samuel and Gottfred.
Much of his young life was spent in Chile and Peru, as a child of a devoted missionary family. He attended boarding school in Iowa during high school, then studied psychology at Covenant College, during which time Gottfred and Kay met and married. While Gottfred was teaching psychology for the Army during the early 70’s, he was awarded an Army scholarship to dental school. He attended Baylor College of Dentistry, graduating in 1979. After serving as an active-duty dentist in the Army, Gottfred and Kay returned to north Texas, where he established a dental practice in 1985. He genuinely enjoyed his calling as a dentist, embracing every opportunity to care for his patients.
Gottfred and Kay devoted themselves to their community at Highland Oaks Church of Christ through the deaf ministry and, more recently, the men’s group. Gottfred served as a deacon for many years, then as an elder from 1995 until the time of his death. He served as a dentist for two medical mission trips to Nairobi, Kenya. Gottfred’s deep faith and love of Scripture anchored him and enabled him to face life’s challenges with hope.
Gottfred was an adventurous, open-hearted soul who loved his family deeply. His kind, calming demeanor brought joy wherever he went. He especially treasured time with his children and grandchildren, whether reading to them, cooking with them, or celebrating their accomplishments.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmother, Eleanor Smith Olsen.
Gottfred is survived by Kay, his wife of 51 years; his daughter, Amy Hamilton and her husband, Jon of Richardson, TX; along with grandchildren, Michael, Kinsey, and Sarah. He is also survived by his daughter, Andrea Lam and her husband, Alan of Colorado Springs, Colorado; along with granddaughters, Marina and Siana. He is likewise survived by his siblings, Marian Briones (Quito, Ecuador), Ernest G. Olsen (Elkton, Maryland), Wallace Olsen (Fairbanks, Alaska), D’Anne Olsen (Attleboro, Massachusetts), Samuel Olsen (Athens, Tennessee), Bruce Olsen (Fontana, California), and Jonathan Olsen (Springboro, Ohio) and their families.
Gottfred’s family will receive friends from 4 – 6 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021, at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 6, at Highland Oaks Church of Christ, and will be livestreamed on the church’s YouTube channel.
Memorials may be sent to Missions Resource Network.
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