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Joan Olson was born on October 27, 1924 in Edgerton, Wisconsin, and died on Transfiguration Sunday, February 19, 2023. In between, she lived a grace-filled life of curiosity, adventure, and love. Transfiguration Sunday marked a fitting end to her life on earth, as her whole being radiated her faith and commitment to living the greatest commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you".
From her beginnings on a farm in Stoughton, Wisconsin, Joan learned the values and benefits of a loving family, hard work, and a good education. Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, provided Joan's launch into the world outside "the farm". She graduated from UW in 1947 with a BS in Education. After teaching English for a year in Milwaukee, she felt the call to full-time church work, leading her to Missoula, Montana, and St. James Lutheran Church as a parish worker. If Joan had been born in a different era, she certainly would have gone to seminary and been ordained into the ministry. Instead, she met Don Olson and became a pastor's wife. Joan and Don married in August of 1951, becoming partners in life and ministry for 52 years.
Of all Joan's lifetime roles, the one of Pastor's wife was certainly at the center of her being. Joan and Don started their married life in Chicago while Don attended the Lutheran School of Theology. From there they moved to Washington D.C., and then to their first parish call at St. James Lutheran in Vandalia, Illinois. In 1964, they were called to Messiah Lutheran in Rockford, Illinois, where Don served until their retirement. During their time in Rockford, Joan returned to teaching. She taught English at Auburn High School where her four children all attended. While at Auburn, she made life-long friends with several of her fellow English teachers, and became involved in the teacher's union, including walking the picket line during a teacher's strike. Even while teaching full-time, and parenting four active children, Joan was very involved in ministry at Messiah. From being Sunday School superintendent, to Luther League sponsor, to hosting the Easter Breakfast, Joan was always at Don's side in the parish. The parsonage was a warm and welcoming place for anyone who needed a friend or a meal, and the cookie jar was always full. Joan's commitment to helping the hungry began in Rockford.
In 1986, Joan and Don retired and moved from Rockford to their beloved cabin on Whitefish Bay in Door County, Wisconsin. Early retirement years were spent traveling, from one side of the U.S. to the other, with an occasional trip to Europe. Sometimes they camped; sometimes they traveled with an Elderhostel group. When they were home, they hosted countless family gatherings and welcomed their many friends. Joan was always ready for company with an open door, a cup of coffee, and a plate of cookies. She loved nothing better than a good visit with family, or an old or new friend. Joan was also always up for a good debate, whether on a book she'd recently read, a current political issue or religion. No topic was off limits. She was a lifelong reader, enjoying poetry, historical tomes, biographies and books of a philosophical bent.
It was in Door County where she cemented her role as Grandma Joanie. Grandma Joanie loved her eight grandchildren fiercely, and they loved her fiercely in return. Her home was a safe haven where they could grow, learn to explore and love nature, eat waffles, learn to bake her famous chocolate cake, and learn how to drive. Yes, she taught several of her grandchildren how to drive! As her grandchildren grew, she reveled in their accomplishments, and loved the details of all their adventures. Grandma Joanie had her own adventures to share as well, including a trip to Tanzania with Lutheran World Relief when she was 82.
Once Don passed away, and she approached advancing age, life by herself in Door County became a bit daunting. When Joan was 85, she sold her beloved home and moved to the Woodside Oaks Community in Green Bay. Once settled, she made a new home and found a new community of friends. As before, her apartment was a welcoming place with an open door, a cup of coffee or glass of wine, and a plate of cookies or a box of chocolates. Joan embraced the computer, substituting lengthy emails for her lengthy letters. Joan loved to write (as she loved to talk!), and published her memoirs at the age of 91.
Throughout her long life, her faith was central to her being. Joan was an eternal optimist, a loyal friend and sister, a faithful and loving partner to Don, and a model for us all. Her open and curious mind led to lifelong learning. She welcomed each stage of her life with an adventurous spirit, even as she knew she was approaching its end. We should all be so fortunate as to follow in her footsteps.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, James and Anna Burull, her siblings, Dorothy Jefts, Ruth Burull, Helen Splitek, and Robert Burull, and her beloved husband, Don. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Martha Olson and Fred Bratman, Katy and Robb Whelchel, Tom and Susie Olson, and Kirsten and Mark Reitan. Steve and Linda Raap must be included as part of her surviving family. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Tina Olson, and by her grandchildren: Allie and Peter McElligott, Laura Bernstein, Noah and Megan Olson, David Reitan, Michael and Dani Bernstein, Erik Reitan and partner Annika Kraus, Seth Olson and fiancé Katie Hodges, and Hans Reitan and fiancé Amy Villella. Joan also treasured being Great-Grandma to Teddy and Grace Olson, and Margot McElligott.
Joan's family would like to give special thanks to the Woodside Oaks family, including manager Connie Fritch who made the Oaks a wonderful place to live, and to the staff and caregivers at the Manors who showed such care and kindness to Joan in her last home. We give a special thanks to the Aurora Hospice team, especially Kayla Klug, who walked this last journey with her. We also give thanks to Joan's family and friends within the St. John Lutheran Church community.
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