Betty L. Olsen died in her home on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. She was born 102 years ago on May 19, 1922, in Cedar, Michigan to Hazel (Kropp) and Christian Wichern. She was raised, with her sisters Maxine (Kirt) and Ramona (Duncan) on their family’s cherry farm. After graduating from Leland High School in 1940, she studied bookkeeping and went on to work as a bookkeeper at Montgomery Wards in Traverse City. In 1944 she married John Henry Olsen who had enlisted in the Coast Guard. They moved frequently throughout their lives until John retired in Duluth, Minnesota in 1967. They moved to Marlette, Michigan where they, and later she alone, ran a family business. She moved to Traverse City in 1981 and went back and forth to her cabin in Duluth. She built her own home in Traverse City thirty years ago and has lived here since that time.
Betty was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she once served as the Ladies’ Aid Treasurer. Her church family held a special place in her heart, and she greatly appreciated the support and prayers she received, especially in her final days.
Betty enjoyed learning about and participating in the financial world, always maintaining a savvy and responsible approach. Betty loved camping in California and Minnesota. She loved blueberries, the Christmas cookie sale at Trinity, turtles (candy) and being current on national and local news and weather. She was an excellent cook, a great gardener, an avid reader, and a devoted mother to her two children Christine (Dan) and Richard. She loved her grandsons Jeremy and Jesse and later Jesse’s wife, Amy, and her two greatgrandchildren, Teddy and Kennedy. She was lucky to have the caring of nieces, nephews and friends throughout her life in Traverse City.
Betty led a life filled with love and dedication to her family and church. She will be remembered and cherished by her family, friends and caregivers.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City, followed by a luncheon and then burial at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1003 S. Maple Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.
Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com
