Eileen Tolman Olson

Eileen Tolman Olson, age 98, passed away peacefully at her home on June 21, 2023, the first day of summer, in Upland, California, surrounded by her loving family. Eileen was born in Logan, Utah on March 23,1925 to Wallace Tolman and Elsa Flade Tolman. She was married to John E. Olson, Jr., MD on January 22, 1948 in the Logan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They raised their five children in Riverside and Glendora, California, then in Bountiful, Utah, followed by 50 years living in Upland, California. Eileen and John were married for 53 years until his passing in 2001. Eileen is survived by five children, John C. Olson, MD (Carolyn Olson), Robin Hvidston, Laurie Lisonbee (Dennis Lisonbee), Paul Olson (Robyn Olson), and Gregory Olson . Eileen was and will always be the beloved grandmother of 21 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren.

Eileen studied art at Utah State University, then served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Missouri and Oklahoma. She held jobs at Bushnell Hospital in Brigham City, Phillips Oil in Salt Lake City, and Pepsodent-Lever Brothers in Chicago while her husband attended medical school at Northwestern University. A gifted artist, Eileen taught art at the Belchertown State School in Belchertown, Massachusetts, and produced beautiful paintings throughout her life. Her love for art was cultivated by an additional love of travel—one of Eileen’s great joys was to see the sites of Europe and the Mediterranean basin, and she appreciated the wonders of the art of the old world. In all, she traveled to 31 different countries.

Eileen spent a lifetime creating a beautiful home where she warmly welcomed all, including foster children. She knew no strangers and she gave loving service to family, friends, her community, and her church. All she did was informed by her faith and devotion to the example set for her by Jesus Christ. Eileen taught youth and adults in her church and served as ward and Stake Relief Society President in the Upland, California Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Eileen also had a great of love of America and the Constitution.

An avid researcher of family history, and as the daughter of an immigrant mother from East Germany who had joined the LDS church, Eileen learned the German language and established lasting relationships during multiple trips to Germany. There she visited many relatives who had been estranged since World War II.

Connecting with others was paramount to Eileen, and she devoted significant time to corresponding with friends and family throughout her life. Our loving mother and grandmother will be greatly missed, but we look forward to one day seeing her again.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1130 West 21st Street, Upland, California. The viewing is 10:00-10:45 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The funeral service will be live on Zoom, 94719044877, Password is upl3

Arrangements are with Stone Funeral Home of Upland, (909) 982-1369, https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/upland-ca/eileen-olson-11345187

A graveside service will be held at the Logan City Cemetery in Logan, Utah, 1000 North 1200 East, Logan, Utah. The date and time is July 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. For details on the Utah interment and graveside service, arrangements are with Allen-Hall Mortuary, (435) 752-3245, https://www.allenmortuaries.net/obituaries/Eileen-Olson-5/#!/Obituary