Elda Rhea Olsen

Elda Olsen was born in Edna, Texas on February 20, 1932, the ninth of ten children to Hubert and Maude Rogers. She died November 13, 2018 while being treated for an infection at Patients Hospital in Pasadena, Texas. She was 86. Edla attended Deer Park High School in Deer Park, Texas after a family move. She graduated in 1950 and worked at Shell Chemical as a secretary until she married Sigurd Olsen on October 3, 1953. She became a homemaker and mother to her four children.

After the children were grown she went back to work finding employment in the fiduciary department of the Veteran Administration. She retired in 1994 and became actively involved in being a grandmother to her 9 grandchildren.

Her special friends in high school were Margaret Hans and Etta Olsen. During her married life she developed lifelong friendships with the neighborhood women and the women’s group at the First Baptist Church of Deer Park.

The significant events in her life primarily involved family. The births of her children celebrating their milestones and accomplishments, graduations, marriages and the joyful entry of grandchildren and great grandchildren into the world.

Her husband Sigurd died suddenly of a massive heart attack at the age or 41. Elda was still recovering from a cerebral aneurysm seven month prior to his death. She was 36. The emotional impact of this event would overshadow the rest of her life. She never remarried. Their marriage had defined her and she carried that meaning with her into death.

She enjoyed music. The popular vocals of the 40’s and 50’s Franck Sinatra, Pery Como, Dean Martin were favorites. She loved Christmas music and hymns, especially hymns. She would hum the melodies of “In the Garden,” and “The Old Rugged Cross,” while she did the housework.

She loved handcrafts, crochet, embroidery and quilting, finishing a project the week before her death.

Elda is survived by her sister, Ellen Grace Cain and her husband Leonard. She is also survived by her children, daughter Kay Handy and husband Tom, daughter Emily Cammarata and husband A.J., son Eric Olsen, son Earl Olsen and wife Sherri.

She is survived by her grandchildren, Jared Southern, Justin Southern and wife Kristine, August Cammarata, Jacob Cammarata and wife Sarah, Claire Cammarata, Randy Olsen, Cory Olsen, Daniel Olsen and wife Meredith and Stephen Olsen.

She also leaves behind five great grandchildren, Leyton Southern, Keira Southern, Kristian Walker, Nicole Lopez, and Victoria Cammarata.

Elda enjoyed church fellowship and bible study, becoming a Christian was a significant event in her life. She read the bible every night before going to bed. She looked forward to visits from her church group especially Fran Mahan. The Olsen family is very appreciative for all they have done.

A viewing will be held Monday November 19, 2018 from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm for family and from 5:00 until 7:00 for friends and others at Grand View Funeral Home, 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, Texas.

A memorial service will be held November 20, 2018 from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm in the chapel at Grand View Funeral Home followed by a graveside ceremony from 3:00 pm until 3:30 pm at the cemetery adjacent to the chapel.

Flowers may be sent to the chapel. If a donation is preferred, her favorite charity was the Red Cross who helped considerably over the years with transportation to and from medical procedures.