After graduating from Hopedale High School in 1954, she followed God’s calling and entered The Salvation Army’s Training College in New York City, and was commissioned in The Sword Bearers Session of 1956.
She was the assistant officer at the New London, Connecticut Corps when she met the love of her life, a young sailor stationed at the submarine base in Groton. They soon married and together raised 4 children, living in Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, Washington, Alaska, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
After raising her children, she joined her husband once again into full-time ministry with The Salvation Army, serving in Washington, California, Texas, Moscow, Kiev, and London, before retiring to Las Vegas in 2003. Mike and Ruth continued their ministry to their communities both in Las Vegas and the Phoenix area throughout their retirement.
Ruth met her Savior face-to-face on November 26, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 63 years: Michael Olsen; her sisters: Eilene Best and Susan Sullivan; her 4 children: Sven (Skip) Olsen, Dennise Fadler (Randolph), Michelle Hinson (H. Douglas), and James Olsen; eight grandchildren: Erin Olsen, Michael Fadler (Aline), Séan Olsen, Jacob Hinson, Emmalee Hinson, Christien Fadler, Kathleen Fadler Bishop (Tyrone), and Scott Olsen; and four great-grandchildren: William Olsen, Grayson Hinson, Violet Hinson, and Thatcher Hinson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her granddaughter, Maire Caitlin Olsen, and her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Kingsmill Olsen.
A mother figure to many around the world, she was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 2:00 PM at The Salvation Army, 17420 N Ave of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Olsen family.
