Margaret Jeane Olson's Obituary
Margaret Jeane Hauser Olson was born February 24, 1924 in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and grew up there under loving believing parents. She pursued her love and gift for artwork, attended Minneapolis School of Art 1941-45, also attending Northwestern Bible College from 1941-43, and graduated from Minneapolis School of Art in 1945. She worked one year in the art department of Pillsbury Mills in Minneapolis. In 1946, she moved to Chicago to begin work in the art department of Moody Bible Institute and attended Moody Bible Institute’s evening school from 1946-48. While at Moody, she met her husband Alvar Olson, from Upper Michigan, who had a Metallurgical Degree from Michigan Tech, who was also attending Moody Bible Institute. Jeane married Al on December 28, 1948 in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Rules at Moody Bible Institute were to stay out of school a term if you marry, so Al and Jeane lived and worked in the Canal Zone all of 1949. Al was stationed there during WWII, became a believer there, and wanted to return there someday as a missionary. They returned to Chicago and Al graduated from Moody in August, 1951. Al & Jeane applied to Central American Mission, started Candidate School in January, 1952, and began Language School in San Jose, Costa Rica in August, 1952. They then served as CAM missionaries in Bouquete and Panama City, Panama for one term. When CAM established a publishing house to produce Sunday School lessons in Spanish, the Olsons were asked to transfer to Guatemala City, Guatemala in 1956 and served there until 1964. Jeane did layouts, artwork and typography for the publishing house, “translating” illustrations from English to Spanish culture for Sunday School lessons. CAM transferred the Olsons to CAM’s home office in Dallas in 1964 where Al was Circulation Manager and Jeane was Art Editor of the CAM Magazine and other CAM literature. Reinhardt Bible Church became the Olson Family’s church home and all were very active in the church. Jeane’s home church later became Redeemer Bible Church until she moved to Beaumont. Jeane retired from CAM on March 1, 1989, and lived alone in Garland until 2006. She was co-founder of the Dallas Alzheimer Chapter due to Al’s death from that disease. In 2006, we moved her to Beaumont where she lived at Collier Park Retirement Center. We think she had a minor stroke in March, 2011, and moved her into the house next to our house later that year where she lived comfortably for almost 5 years. Dementia took over her mind the past 4 years, she broke her hip on August 23rd and died in her sleep on September 6, 2016. She is preceded in death by her husband, Alvar Olson, May 8, 1988. Her Mother, Margaret Nease Hauser, died 1963. Her Dad, John Hauser, died 1989. Her brother, Jack Hauser, who died 1977. Jeane is survived by her two daughters: Carol Joy Olson, born 1950. Linda Sue Olson Ireland, born 1953. Jeane, called “Nani” by her grand and great grandchildren, is survived by 3 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Granddaughter Krista Parma who lives in Beaumont, TX and has 5 children: Nathan 15, Connor 13, Jackson 10, Ireland almost 9, and Charlotte age 7. Granddaugher Sarah Illman who lives in Cambridge, England with her husband David Illman and has 4 children: Adelaide 9, Schaeffer 7 , Leo 3, & Alexander 1. Granddaugher Lauren Cavett who lives in Beaumont with her husband Joshua Cavett and has 3 children: Carter 7, Emily Claire 5, Lily Cate 3, and another on the way. Mom was a great mother-in-law. She adored our girls and loved having them stay with her and Al, taking them at least once to Geiger Island, to other Reinhardt Bible Church outings, ice skating, walking in the park, and to Hauserville in Florida. Mom walked a mile every day until around 2006, and was tubing behind the ski boat just 6 years ago! Everyone at the retirement center wanted to see, could not believe it! Mom was happily independent, therefore did well living alone at home or retirement village, or near our house, but enjoyed all her interactions with friends, neighbors, family, and especially fellow believers from CAM and churches. Linda and I enjoyed having her near us these past 5 years, caring for and visiting with her on daily basis. She swam in the pool with grand children, slid down the pool slide per great grand children prompting, but did that only once! She walked over to our house and enjoyed seeing great grand children playing and visiting her in her house. Around 2 years ago, the maid could not find Mom in her house. We had video cameras in her house and also could not find her. We looked and looked and finally found her fallen on the concrete garage floor hidden behind some plywood and insulation. She was not hurt, and when I reached out to help her up, I asked her in a joking manner, “Mom, what are you doing down there?” She exclaimed, “Now, that’s a good question!”, which often became the answer for other questions. Around 3 years ago, she was walking down the drive to our house and I was working along side the drive. I asked if she needed anything, and she asked with a very concerned voice, “Where’s Al?” I told her “Mom, Al died many years ago, you have just forgotten.” Then again, with an inquisitive voice, she asked, “Who are you?” I said, “I am Mike, your son-in-law.” Her face lightened and with great enthusiasm said, “Well, welcome to the family!” After 40 years, I was again welcomed to the family. Indeed, her sweet disposition, laughter and smiles will be greatly missed. Service will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 10 AM in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home with visitation held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Camino Global 8625 La Prada Dallas Tx 75228 Sarah and David Illman with Christian Heritage P.O. Box 11651 Montgomery, AL 36111-0651 The Moody Church 1635 N. LaSalle Chicago, IL 60614 Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243.
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