Penny Mae Olesky

Penny Mae “Koenig” Olesky, 82, of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home on May 16, 2026. She was born on October 13, 1943, in Longview, Washington, graduated from Lakewood High School, and later met the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” James Olesky, while working for the U.S. Postal Service. They were married on April 1, 1967, at Lady of Fatima in Denver and recently celebrated 59 years of marriage. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family, and friendship, making homes in Denver, San Mateo, Castle Rock, and Grand Junction. Penny will be remembered for her kind heart, creative spirit, and the warmth she brought to everyone around her.

Penny worked as a rural carrier and postal clerk for the U.S. Postal Service, as a preschool teacher at the San Mateo Highlands Recreation Center, and as a devoted volunteer in schools, church, and community organizations. In every role, she gave her time generously and cared deeply for the people around her. After retiring, she continued serving others through Catholic Outreach in Grand Junction.

Her faith was a guiding presence throughout her life, and she was active in churches in both California and Colorado, where she especially loved helping with Sunday school. Penny found joy in gardening, art, sewing, quilting, weaving, tennis, skiing, and fishing. She had a special gift for making people feel welcome, whether through a shared meal or homemade brownies, a thoughtful conversation, or simply her steady kindness. She was a gifted host, a loyal friend, and someone who truly never met a stranger.

Penny is survived by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Olesky of Grand Junction; her daughter, Jade Olesky Dahl (Stephen Dahl) of Menlo Park, CA; her grandsons, Drake Dahl and Galen Dahl; her son, Quinn Charles Olesky of Grand Junction, CO; her brother, Craig Miller of Casper, WY, her niece, Selina Morris; her nephew, Royce Ulibarri; her grandnieces, Brittni Ulibarri, Maya Ulibarri, and Dagney Garcia-Morris; as well as aunts and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Koenig and Rosetta Carwin; her sister, Sally Ulibarri; and her nephew, Craig Morris.

Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 790 26 ½ Road, Grand Junction, CO. The Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., a reception in the Parish Hall at 11:15 a.m., and burial at Orchard Mesa Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held in California at a later date.

Our family especially thanks Abode Hospice and Cindy Pettis for their compassionate care of Penny at the end of her life. Donations in Penny’s memory may be made to Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, 245 S. 1st Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501, or to a favorite charity in her name.

Penny’s love, generosity, and gentle spirit will live on in the family she cherished, the friends she welcomed so easily, and the many lives she touched so deeply. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered.