Carol Ruth Olson

Carol was born 9 September 1927, in Bay City, Michigan, the daughter of the late Marvin J. and Ruth Leslie (Auger) Thorsby. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, William Frederick Olson, son of the late Benjamin Victor and Marguerite M. (Todd) Olson.

Carol is survived by five children, Susan Marie and her husband William Joseph Abate of Sterling, Illinois, Nancy Ruth Olson of Carol Stream, Illinois, Mary Elizabeth and her husband Richard Craig Lotz of Westmont, Illinois, Wendy Ann Olson and her husband John William Peterson, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Robert David and his wife Deanne (Durko) Olson of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Jason Abate, Timothy and Amber (Punzel) Abate, Jeremy and Misty (Nguyen) Decker, Elizabeth (Lotz) Castaldo, Scott and Jenna (Pearson) Lotz, Mark Lotz, Kristin (Peterson) and Daniel Anton, Carol (Carrie) (Peterson) and Stefano Truschke; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Oliver Abate, Madelyn "Madey" Abate, Benjamin Abate, Jacob Abate, Avery Lotz, Alejandro Martinez, Warren Castaldo, Ella Castaldo, Elliot Anton, Cameron Anton, Catherine Truschke, Margaret Truschke, and Julia Truschke.

Carol was preceded in death by her grandparents, Samuel Nelson and Grace Elma (Cook) Auger, and James and Hattie Agnes (Laylond) Thorsby, and one great-grandson, Owen Lotz.

Carol grew up an only child in Bay City, Michigan. She graduated from Bay City Junior College with an Associate of Arts with High Honors in June 1947. Her academic career was interrupted by marriage and the raising of five children. She went back to school when her youngest started kindergarten and became a Registered Professional Nurse in July 1977. Her scores in the five sections of the licensing exam were nearly all close to or greater than double that needed for passing. She worked at Hinsdale Hospital, then for over a decade at Good Samaritan Hospital. A broken leg took her out of the paid work force, but she continued with volunteer work, including at the DuPage Community Clinic and as a substitute school nurse at Schiesher Elementary School. Her love for nursing flowed over into stories at family dinners, earning her the nickname of “Old Blood and Guts” and testing the stomachs of prospective sons-in-law. She was a marvelous example for the next generations and conferred a degree of scientific curiosity and medical literacy on her descendants which has been invaluable to us.

Carol was widowed in midlife, but carried on undaunted, raising her youngest child, working and maintaining a wide circle of friends and social activities. She was very involved with the Lisle Woman's Club for many years, including serving as the historian. She maintained beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, cut her own grass, shoveled her own driveway well through her 80s, and lived independently until December 2022 when she broke her hip, then her wrist, and moved into assisted living. She held her family close, even as it grew and grew and spread across the country and was a trusted confidante and mentor for her grandchildren.

Carol embraced all sorts of continuing education even after her nursing degree. She took community college classes in computers and digital photography and attended plays and musicals with park district groups. She traveled with her sister-in-law Margie Olson and other friends and family members to Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Alaska, and all across the continental United States. Her hobbies included reading, genealogy, photography, bridge, puzzles, gardening, sewing, knitting, cooking and baking.

Carol embodied and embraced Christian values. She was hard working, frugal, caring, a great listener, loving mother and grandmother, and great friend. She will be terribly missed.

Thornton Wilder said, “The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.” Thank you, Mom.

Memorial Visitation for Carol will be from 10-11 AM on Monday, June 30, at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave, Lisle, IL 60532, where a Memorial Service will follow at 11 AM. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Downers Grove FISH which is a food pantry and community service organization. DG Area FISH was founded upon Christian principles over 50 years ago, hence the fish symbol (ichthys) seen in their logo and name. They like to say FISH stands for “Food Insecurity Stops Here”. Their website is downersgrovefish.org

Also, donations to Lighthouse Hospice would also be appreciated. They request donations be mailed to them at 2807 Centre Circle, Downers Grove, IL 60515 with a mention of the person to be honored. Their website is www.lighthousehospice.com which contains all the information.