LaVerne Marie Olson

LaVerne Marie Olson found her peace in God’s loving arms on January 6, 2026, just a couple of months shy of reaching her earthly goal—celebrating her 90th birthday at her longtime home of Keystone Place at Legacy Ridge Assisted Living in Westminster, Colorado.

She was born March 20, 1936, at Denver Presbyterian Hospital, the daughter of Niels Reinholdt and Frances Eleanora (Nielsen) Pedersen.

LaVerne shared many stories of her early childhood on a farm in Brighton, Colorado. She spoke of dogs, cows, chickens, and the occasional itinerant traveler who caught a ride on a train and was granted permission to sleep in their barn for the night before continuing their journey. Later, the family moved back to Denver, where LaVerne graduated from North Denver High School in 1954.

At the time of her graduation, her father worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Company and supervised a tall, shy, handsome World War II veteran named Axel Olson. Axel hadn’t dated much, but when he met LaVerne, he said he had found “the best girl in the world.” He, and many others, would say that throughout her life. LaVerne truly was a kind and gentle soul.

Axel and LaVerne married on May 1, 1955, in Brighton. They purchased their first home in Fort Collins, Colorado, and soon welcomed four children—just a bit shy of the nine Axel wanted to form a baseball team. LaVerne was a skilled homemaker. Her children had everything they needed and always felt deeply loved and supported. She was an excellent baker—there were always cookies, often cinnamon rolls, and other homemade treats. One particularly special Easter tradition was her delicate, hollowed out and beautifully decorated sugar eggs. She faithfully supported her children in sports and school activities.

In 1967, Axel was promoted and the family moved to Northglenn, Colorado. There, LaVerne took her first job outside the home as a baker at Westview Elementary School. Her children loved it—her baking skills grew even better, and the “lunch ladies” always made sure LaVerne’s kids received the biggest rolls and cookies on the lunch line. She loved that she could work during school days and stay home on days her children were out of school. She was a dedicated mother who rarely—if ever—hired a babysitter.

When her children were old enough to care for themselves, LaVerne finally convinced her baseball-loving husband to “just try” square dancing. It became a shared passion. They danced nearly every weekend, sometimes more. Her children fondly remember LaVerne’s colorful, fancy dresses and Axel’s matching shirts and bolo ties. During these years, LaVerne also worked at Sears in the Northglenn Mall.

After their youngest son graduated from high school, LaVerne and Axel fulfilled their dream of early retirement and became “Snowbirds,” moving to Sun City West, Arizona, in 1983. LaVerne later joked that she believed the plan was all about avoiding snow—though she soon realized Axel’s real motivation was year-round baseball. They thrived in Arizona, enjoying friendships, backyard orange trees, and fresh juice. LaVerne even learned to golf. She became a devoted “baseball wife,” attending most games and many out-of-state tournaments.

While sorting through her belongings after her passing, family members discovered diaries she kept during those Arizona years. Even in grief, there were belly laughs while reading her daily entries, many of which went something like:

“We ate (here). The temperature was (this). I did (this or that). Dad played ball.”

Oh, how Axel loved baseball—and how faithfully LaVerne supported him.

During the “Arizona years,” they spent every summer in Dillon, Colorado. LaVerne continued in her cherished role as Mom and Grandma to nine grandchildren who loved visiting in Dillon. Axel hiked daily, while LaVerne became skilled at cross-stitch embroidery. They also traveled to visit their children and grandchildren across Colorado, Washington, and Idaho—stops that were eagerly anticipated by the grandchildren each year.

Eventually, age brought new goals, and the couple returned to Colorado to be closer to family. They lived in Greeley, Colorado for several years until Axel’s passing in 2004, a profound loss for LaVerne. She later endured the heartbreaking loss of her eldest daughter, Linda, to cancer. Soon after, she chose to move to Keystone Place at Legacy Ridge, first in Independent Living and later in Assisted Living, where she developed another “family.” She dearly loved the staff, and they loved her.

LaVerne is survived by her children: Robert Norman Olson (Sandra), Debra Louise Olson (James VanLooy), and Randy Jay Olson (Rhonda); grandchildren: Shawn Nelsen (Jeanne Steinwachs), Shannon (Mike) DeDecker, Emily (Travis) Maron, Kristina Olson, Michelle Fellows, Kevin (Lauren) Fellows, Nolan Fellows, Katie Hopkins, and Kayla Olson; and great-grandchildren: Kaylee DeDecker, Brycen Maron, Harper Maron, Addison Winter, Paige Winter, Matthew Fellows, Bradley Fellows, Annika Hopkins, Jonathan Hopkins, and Lucy Olson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Axel R. Olson; daughter, Linda K. Nelsen; parents, Niels and Frances Pedersen; and brother, Charles Pedersen.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Keystone Place at Legacy Ridge for their excellent care and compassion over LaVerne’s twelve years there, and to the InnovAge Thornton and InnovAge Comfort Care staff who also brought kindness into her last days and weeks.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3695 Acoma Street, Englewood CO 80010

or Keystone Place at Legacy Ridge, Attn: s Melissa Ward, 11150 Irving Drive, Westminster CO 80031, for the creation of a courtyard bench, in honor and memory of LaVerne Olson.

A funeral service will be held on January 17, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, located at 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229, US.

A committal service will follow on the same day from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the same location.

Laverne was a resident of Westminster, Colorado.