Frances Ida Olson

Frances Ida Olson was born January 30, 1919, in Oakland, Nebraska, and died October 22, 2017 in Ventura, California, at age 98. She grew up in a Swedish community, playing music with her siblings and cousins. After high school, she and her parents moved to Omaha, where she attended business college and began a secretarial career for the telephone company.

After WWII, Frances joined her former Navy nurse sisters in Los Angeles, still working at the phone company. She was often asked to sing at weddings and soloed at church. Frances married her beloved Marion Olson in 1952 in LA, and had sons Grant and Mark. In the 60’s they moved to Newbury Park, CA.

After devoted parenting, Frances and Marion were active in the Model A Club in Thousand Oaks, and attended dances at the Senior Center. Marion died in 1996 and Frances moved to The TowneHouse in Ventura in 2003. She became a welcome ambassador, ran the thrift shop, and assisted at Vespers. Frances loved to dress well and wear jewelry, and was always neat as a pin. She loved her coffee black, enjoyed talking on the phone, and helping people. After 13 years, she moved to Memory Care at Aegis.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Marion; sisters, Connie and Maurine; brothers, Cy and Warren; and stepson, Jan Olson. She is survived by sons, Grant and Mark; daughters-in-law, Annie, Rosemary, and Mariana; grandchildren, Amanda Balice and husband Joe, Nick Olson, Elaine Gereau and husband Chris, Erica Olson; great-grandsons, Jake, West, Cove and Hunter; step-grandchildren, Vlad Popescu and Karen Berard and family; nieces, Julie Paile Benedetto and Peggy Freed; nephews, Raleigh Ross, Kent and Chris Olson; brothers-in-law, Richard and Donald Olson; and many extended family members.

A Celebration of Frances’ Life will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, 11:00 a.m., at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, in Ventura, with Pastor Leonard DeWitt officiating. A reception will immediately follow. Frances’ ashes will be spread at sea where her husband and stepson’s lay.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.