Theresa Grimaldi Olsen

She was born in Chicago on Aug. 1, 1960, to Geraldine (Rudnick) and I. William Grimaldi, and grew up in Hillside and Elmhurst, Ill. She married Dean Olsen in 1985 after they met as journalism students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Survivors include her husband, her mother, three children: Crystal Olsen of Chicago, Kyle (Anna) Olsen of Athens, Ill., and Daniel Olsen of Springfield; and sisters Margaret (Michael) Grimaldi Junker of Sacramento, Calif., and Cynthia (Timothy) Spiegel of Park Ridge, Ill. Theresa also is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Addison and Blake, nephews Alex and George Spiegel, Zachary Erwin and Zachary Olsen and nieces Emily Spiegel, Sarah Erwin, Stephanie Olsen and Kim Olsen Rednour. Preceding her in death were her father, brother Victor, and grandparents Vito and Marge Grimaldi and Mildred and Henry Rudnick.

Theresa graduated in 1978 from Proviso West High School in Hillside, Ill., where she was band president, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1982. She earned a master’s in public affairs reporting at University of Illinois Springfield and worked as a journalist at newspapers in Chicago Heights, Ill., Lafayette, Ind., and Peoria, Ill. She was a freelance writer and taught journalism at Bradley University and Illinois State University. She also worked as a fundraiser and public-relations professional for Purdue University, The Salvation Army and The Autism Program.

Her life was dedicated to serving others, but she considered her most important job to be mother. She marveled at the drive of her daughter, Crystal, who graduated from Springfield High School, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Illinois and now is area vice president of government affairs for Advocate Health Care. Theresa older son, Kyle, earned associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Lincoln Land Community College and Western Governors University, respectively. Kyle now works as a traveling nurse for Hospital Sisters Health System. Theresa nurtured, homeschooled, tutored and advocated for her youngest child, Daniel, as he completed the Blackburn and Beyond program for students with disabilities at Blackburn College in 2025.

Theresa was a vivacious, passionate, smart and loving person who treasured her family and friends. She loved red roses, playing the clarinet, swimming and reading. She used her deep faith in God, warm hugs and easy smile to lift up and encourage everyone around her.

The Olsen family is deeply grateful to the many amazing nurses, nursing technicians, physical and occupational therapists, respiratory therapists and doctors at Springfield Clinic, Springfield Memorial Hospital, Lincoln Memorial Hospital and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine who were so kind and gentle with her.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. May 20 at Butler Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center at 900 S. Sixth St. in Springfield, followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. officiated by Pastor Micheal Drake. For those who wish to send flowers, please consider red roses, which were Theresa’s favorite. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics Illinois. You can support the family with meals through GoFundMe at https://tinyurl.com/OlsenMeals

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.