Loretta Clara Olsen

Mrs. Olsen was born September 22, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois the daughter of the late, Frank William and Clara Schrieffer Ashley.

Mrs. Olsen was affectionately known as “Grandma Olsen” to family and friends. She was an executive secretary during her working years at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, which is now the University of Northern Iowa and the Floating College of the Pacific based in Aneheim, California. She was the youngest of 13 accumulated children raised by her great aunt, Mary Shrieffer. Loretta enjoyed sewing, quilting, and word puzzles. She married Walter Olsen on May 30, 1931. He was a social worker and Red Cross Field Director and together they traveled the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a son, Thomas Walter Olsen.

Surviving is her daughter, Ruth Olsen Reichenberg of White, grandchildren, Erik Walter Reichenberg of Roseboro, N.C., Lisa Ann Reichenberg of Winder, Karla Jean Reichenberg Servais of Rydal, Lori Olsen of Eugene, Oregon, James Olsen of Island City, Oregon, Gerry Olsen of Hawaii, Thomas Olsen of Murieta, California, great grandchildren, Brooke Anderson, Erika and Chris Reichenberg, great great grandsons, Jaden Bedoya and Michael Olsen.

Graveside services will be held Friday, August 20, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Mausoleum at Providence Cemetery with Chaplain Bob Goodner officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the American Red Cross.

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the online guestbook.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, Georgia is I charge of the arrangements.