K. Jenny Olsen

Viewing Sunday January 11th from 6-8 pm with funeral Monday

January 12th, 10:30 am at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family is suggesting that memorial gifts be made to the Grace Community Church Building Fund. Gifts made be given online at www.ExploreGrace.com or sent to Grace Community Church, 5450 Bruce B Downs Blvd. #331, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33544.

Jenny Olsen was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, on October 2, 1918 to Martin and Anna Spindanger. Her family moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she attended and was confirmed at 59th Street Lutheran Brethren Church. She graduated from Girls’ Commercial High School and went to work in the banking industry in Manhattan. In May 1943, she married Trygve Clarence Olsen (“Larry”). In September he was sent to England as a pilot in the Eighth Air Force. In April 1944, their daughter Claire was born and Jenny received the news that Larry was a prisoner of war. It wasn’t until after World War II ended in May 1945 that Larry was able to return home and meet his daughter. Larry and Jenny settled in Brooklyn and had three more children. Jenny worked side by side with Larry in the family business until 1974 when they moved to Holiday, Florida. After Larry passed away in December 1989, Jenny moved into the apartment that her son and daughter-in-law, Ralph and Kari, had added to their home for her, where she lived happily and was well cared for by them until her death.

Jenny trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ for her salvation and rested in God’s love and grace. As a member of 59th Street Church, a charter member of Sunshine Lutheran Brethren Church, and most recently a member of Grace Community Church, she served the Lord in many ways: as a Sunday School secretary and teacher, Pioneer Girl leader, Deaconess, in women’s fellowship groups, and in prayer. She had the gifts of service and hospitality and was always the first to open her home to visitors, friends, and family, and had a special heart for those in ministry.

Jenny is survived by her four children and their spouses: Claire and Donald Odegard; Warren and Carolyn Olsen; Ralph and Kari Olsen; and Barbara and Roy Heggland; and thirteen grandchildren: Roger (Laura) Odegard, Brian (Christina) Odegard, Jared (Valerie) Odegard, Jessica (Joel) Hennings, Juliane (Lawrence) Hughes, Emily Olsen, Kevin (Kim) Olsen, Jeffrey (Heather) Olsen, Darren (Kara) Olsen, Laura (Jarrod) Poorman, Matthew Heggland, Andrew (Meghan) Heggland, and Katherine Heggland. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter Sonja Odegard. Jenny also has twenty great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Larry, she was preceded in death by her older brother Thomas; younger brother Arthur and his wife Rae; brother-in-law Howard and his wife Alfheld; and sister-in-law Norma. She is survived by her brother-in-law James Olsen and many nieces and nephews.

Jenny will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her, but we rejoice in knowing that she is with her Lord and Savior.

Blessed be the memory of Jenny Olsen.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”

Psalms 116:15, ESV