Fern was born May 2, 1928 at her grandmother’s home in Woods Cross, Utah. She was the oldest of seven children born to George Cook and Ione (Platts) Mann.
When she was about eight they moved to Twin Falls, Idaho. Next, they lived in Pocatello, Idaho for 11 months. Her father was then transferred to Spokane where he worked for Washington Chief. In Spokane she went to Arlington and graduated from Rogers High School.
Her first job was at the Sunshine Creamery where she made candy. The last job she had (which was her favorite) was working for Mead School District at Brentwood Elementary in the School Lunch Program.
Fern’s husband was the boy across the street. He served in the Army Air Corp in England during WWII. They married at his parent’s home July 17, 1948. During their 55 years of marriage they raised three children and enjoyed hunting, camping and traveling.
She was very active in the LDS church. Marriage and family were the most important part of her life. Fern spent a lot of her time compiling the family history and worked in the Genealogy History Library at her church.
Fern was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Richard Olson; sister Ann (Ray) Green and sister Sue (Ken) Chisholm.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Jim) Johnston; sons, Donald (Jackie) Olson and Eric Olson; grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Choi, Lorie (Gregg) Storey, Donald Olson, Ryan Olson, Mattea Steeneck, Ben (Lila) Olson and Brian Olson; great-grandchildren, Jackson Storey, Alexis Storey, Elisa Choi, Olivia Choi, Addie Olson, Hailey Stoner, Cayden Olson and Briel Olson; siblings, Lita (Wayne) Howard, Gordon (Dorothy) Mann, George Mann, David (Ann Renee) Mann and numerous nieces and nephews.
Fern died March 7, 2018 at Regency at Northpointe from Alzheimer’s.
The family would like to thank the staff of Home Instead and Regency at Northpointe for the loving care that she received.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 11:00am at the LDS North Stake Building, 401 West Regina in Spokane, with viewing beginning at 10:00am at the church. Interment will follow at Fairmount Memorial Park.
