Norma Wills Olsen

NORMA WILLS OLSEN

June 3, 1914 to January 29. 2020

On January 29, 2020, Norma Olsen passed away at the age of 105. Norma was born June 3, 1914 to Edward and Carrie Wills in Fowler, California and lived much of her early life in Eshom Valley and Armona, California. Her family moved to Cambria, California during the thirties where she graduated from Coast Union High School. College brought Norma to Fresno State where she obtained her BA degree, teaching credential, and Fresno is where she met her future husband, Marvin Olsen. They had celebrated 61 happy years of marriage by the time Marvin died in 1999.

Norma taught elementary school for 20 years and was an inspiration to those around her. She was a member of a University Women’s book section, the teacher’s sorority Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK), and the Garden House Tea Room. Marvin and Norma joined a square dance club in the 50’s where they met many of their life long friends. Square dancing didn’t remain popular for too many years, but the friendships continued through other types of social activities such as card games and travel. Touring with friends or by themselves, Norma & Marvin traveled around the world. Norma enjoyed adventure and loved to embrace new experiences. She even went to Burning Man at 93 years of age and had a great time!

Grammy, as many knew her, was kind, caring, very generous, and had a great sense of humor, which she expressed with a sparkle in her eye. She wrote 4 volumes of memoirs featuring stories of her life and poems she penned.

Norma is survived by her son Gary Olsen and his wife Karen, daughter Marva White and her husband Ernie; her grandchildren Lisa Lewis (Kyle), Amy Olsen, Jeff White, Sandra Jacks (Derek) and Kenneth White; 3 great granddaughters, and 2 great-great granddaughters.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens and the St. Agnes Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care of Norma during this final phase of her life’s journey.

We will all miss her fun wit and optimistic look on life. She was an inspiring role model admired by all. Rest in peace Grammy. We will always love you.

Graveside service: Thursday, February 6, 2020 @ 11:00 am

Fresno Memorial Gardens

175 S. Cornelia Ave.

Fresno, CA 93706

In lieu of flowers, you may choose to donate to:

Poverello House

P.O. Box 12225

Fresno, CA 93777-2225