Tove Marie Olsen

Tove Marie Olsen died peacefully Monday, August 10th, 2020 under Hospice care in Sarasota, Florida. Tove was born on May 29th, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois to Carl Orlaw Christensen and Edith Marie (Larsen) Christensen.

Tove was the only child to Carl and Edith, but grew up with many cousins. The family was deeply rooted in their Danish heritage and customs, and passed down many recipes and traditions. Tove graduated from high school from North Park Academy in Chicago. At a Danish picnic, she met a young Danish man, Bjarne Olsen. She helped him learn English, introduced him to new American foods, and taught him to drive! They were married on August 10, 1963 in Chicago. Together they had two daughters, Karen Marie and Lisa Marie.

Tove enjoyed spending time with her family. She volunteered at her daughter’s schools, and was an Awana leader for the girls at church. Tove enjoyed planning trips for the family and travelled much of the United States, often in a camper. She planned trips to Denmark, Scandinavia, and Western Europe as well. In retirement, Tove and Bjarne chose to move to Florida in 2003, for they both loved the warm climate and beaches.

Tove enjoyed hosting gatherings. She was always active in both bible study groups and social groups with church. She hosted her own family as often as they could come down from Illinois and Michigan, as well as friends whenever there was a holiday and her table had space.

She did a lot of volunteer work with S.H.I.N.E., VBS at church, and knitting hats for children in South Africa. Tove loved children, and took great pride in her own daughters as well as her four grandchildren. When they retired to Florida, the grand children received notes and cards, as well as monthly gifts like napkins of the month and socks of the month from their MorMor, which is the danish word for mother’s mother. She continued weekly contact with them through notes, phone calls, and texting up until she was recently hospitalized.

Tove is lovingly remembered and survived by her daughter, Karen Marie Kortebein and husband David and their children Kirsten Marie and fiancé Moises Jimenez and Timothy David; and by daughter Lisa Marie Haboush and husband John and their children Allison Edith Koch and husband David, and Amy Ruthann.

Tove was preceded in death by her husband Bjarne in November 2019, and her parents, Edith in 1979, and Carl in 1993.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice or Covenant Life Church in Sarasota, Florida.