Louis Bernard Olson

As the middle child, he had an older sister, Evie and a younger sister, Phyllis that both adored their brother. While still a young child his family moved to California for a few years and then back to Kansas ending up in Dwight. There he met his future wife Mary Louise Ek. Louie attended Kansas State for one year and in 1956 Louie joined the navy. After basic training he returned to Dwight and married his sweetheart on June 6, 1956 before being shipped off to the Pacific for a year. When Louie finished his stint in the navy, he and Mary Louise moved to Wichita for a short time where he attended electronics school and in 1958 they had their first child, Cheri. A year later in 1959 they moved to Oklahoma City where he was hired by Western Electric which later became AT&T. Little did they know that Louie would have a workmate that would lead to changes in his life that would shape the course of his family’s future forever. That friend was Dalton Bradley, a Jehovah’s Witness, who with his wife Pat studied the Bible with Louie and Mary Louise. In May of 1961 their second child Leigh came along and in February of 1965 their 3rd and youngest child Ron was born. Louie remained at the same job until he retired at the age of 55. His family was deeply proud of Louie when he dedicated his life to Jehovah and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on May 22, 2010. He remained faithful to his God, Jehovah for the rest of his life. He was regular at meetings at the Bush Hills Congregation, zealously participated in the field ministry, and studied God’s word, the Bible regularly.

Louie had many interests. First and foremost was his family. He loved hunting with his sons and fishing with his grandchildren. He was creative and enjoyed creating art including ceramics and woodturning. He also loved gardening and was a beekeeper. Louie was known for having a dry wit and big heart even though he tried to hide it with his gruff exterior. He was a logical thinker that could take a problem and figure out a solution. This was proven at his job where they had a policy of not promoting Associate Engineers to Engineer without a college degree. Louie proved himself more valuable than most of the Engineers he worked alongside and they had no choice but to make an exception and promote him. There seemed to be nothing he couldn’t fix or improve. Anytime any of his kids or grandkids had a question or needed help fixing something he liked that his family looked to him. Another great talent Louie had was storytelling. Clear up to the end his family loved to hear his stories about Dwight or stupid things his kids (Ron) did. Sadly, Mary Louise passed away September 6, 2017. Louie missed her every day. Each morning he would tell her picture “good morning.” He believed with all his heart that she was “best there is.”

Louie’s illness was brief and his family takes solace in knowing he did not suffer a long time. However, in his short illness he was very brave and strong. Even though he was weak and in pain his main concern was for his family and he hid how he was feeling so as not to worry them. His family is comforted by his strong faith and belief that soon “there is going to be a resurrection” as foretold at Acts 24:15 and he and Mary Louise will be reunited with their family on a paradise earth.

Preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Martha Olson and wife of 61 years Mary Louise. Survived by 3 children and their spouses, Cheryl (Cheri) and Paul Ridpath, Leigh and Cari Olson and Ron and Teresa Olson, 8 grandchildren and their spouses Stacy and Jared Cottman, Bryce and Esther Ridpath, Louis (Louie) and Brittany Olson, Austin and Jamey Olson, Chandler, Connor, Jasmine and Caleb Olson, great grandchildren Jack Ridpath, Rocco Cottman, Leia, Max and Oliver Olson who affectionately called him “Grumpy”, sisters Evelyn Hiser and Phyllis Manning and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is dearly loved and missed by all who knew him.