Christine Olson

Christine “Chris” Olson danced through life with a bright, unmistakable spirit—one that lifted hearts, sparked laughter, and made ordinary days feel like celebrations. Born a first-generation American- Italian, Chris carried with her the passion, fire, and deep sense of family that were the heartbeat of her heritage. That spark shaped everything she did—her warmth, her loyalty, her stubborn streak, and her love of gathering people around a table.

Chris shared a steadfast and joyful love with her husband, Bill, the partner who walked beside her through every season of life. Together they raised two sons, Johnny and Donny, who grew beneath the shelter of her fierce devotion. They were her pride, her purpose, and her favorite stories to tell.

And Chris had a legendary way of letting her boys know when they’d pushed their luck. When she called out “Johnny Wray!” or “Donald!” in that unmistakable tone, the house fell silent. And if her famous line—“You son of a B—!”—came flying their way, everyone knew her smile had vanished and the storm had rolled in. Her fiery Italian spirit—equal parts passion, humor, and thunder—became part of the family lore. Raising two spirited boys wasn’t easy, and the boys themselves would admit they earned every one of those moments. Through it all, her discipline came from love, her passion from devotion, and her humor from the deep connection she had with her sons.

Family was the rhythm of Chris’s life. She delighted in gatherings—big or small—where card games stretched long into the night, stories were told with laughter, and margaritas flowed with ease. She understood that the heart of a home is made not of walls, but of people, and she tended that heart with uncommon tenderness.

Later in life, Chris found a new kind of joy in her grandchildren. They became the light of her days, and she spoiled them with wholehearted abandon—gifts, treats, surprises, and the kind of love that wraps around a child like a warm blanket. To them, she was not only a grandmother; she was magic.

Beneath her bright smile lived an iron will. Stubborn, fiery, and protective, Chris was the kind of woman who rose like a momma bear when her family was threatened. Her loyalty was fierce, her love unshakeable, and her strength unmistakable—traits rooted deeply in her Italian roots and the values she was raised with.

In her early years, she brought families together through annual gatherings and picnics at Mineral Palace Park—uniting the 5 crazy Italian families, and amazing Christmas Eve with the Domineco’s and her own into a tapestry of laughter, food, and tradition. Those memories, stitched with care and joy, became the heartbeat of generations.

Chris leaves behind more than memories; she leaves a legacy of joy, resilience, laughter, heritage, and love. Her spirit lives on in her children, her grandchildren, and the countless stories

shared at future family tables—the stories of a woman who lived fully, fiercely, beautifully, and proudly as a first-generation American- Italian.

May her laughter echo in our hearts, and may her light forever guide those who loved her.