Helen A. Olson

Helen Adeline Olson died peacefully of natural causes and went to her heavenly home the morning of January 18, 2014 at the grand age of 100. Helen was born on October 29, 1913 on the family farm in Lee, Illinois, the eldest child of Sarah Oppedahl Hilleson and Thomas E. Hilleson. She attended Shabbona High School and graduated with a teaching credential from Waldorf College in Forest City Iowa where she met her future husband, Raymond M. Olson, to whom she was married 69 years before he passed away on October 21, 2006. Both of Norwegian heritages, their great-grandparents came to this country in the late 1800’s. Helen was baptized, confirmed and married at First Lutheran Church in Lee, Illinois. She taught rural school in Willow Creek Township in Illinois before marrying Ray on June 26, 1937, becoming a partner in Lutheran parish life and raising a family. Ray was ordained into the Lutheran ministry in 1939 and Helen played an active role in their parish ministry, also traveling widely with her husband for the Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches.

When Ray accepted the Presidency of then California Lutheran College in 1963 they moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Thousand Oaks. Here they became lifelong members of Ascension Lutheran Church. Once referred to by Larry Janss as the “George and Martha Washington” of Thousand Oaks, Helen, along with Ray, was involved in founding and shaping many community organizations. As first lady of California Lutheran University from 1963 to 1971 while Ray was president, she hosted hundreds of campus events with a gracious and welcoming style. She was known during those years as a quiet force, always gracious and welcoming to new students and faculty. Helen’s contributions to CLU were focused on the Women’s League and CLU Guild, as well as support of art and music programs. As founder of the League, she helped to bring women together for a united purpose of fellowship, commitment to supporting CLU, and fundraising for scholarships. She helped to shape the traditions that established the CLU Guild and an emphasis on women’s programs overall. Both Ray and Helen established the annual Sarah and Thomas Hilleson Award for a deserving art student at CLU, the Raymond M. Olson Family Scholarship at CLU, built the Olson Family Gazebo on campus, and were later awarded the Christus Award for service to CLU, church and community. Helen was also on the founding board of the CLC-Conejo Symphony League and remained a subscriber to this day. She was active in auxiliaries at the T.O. Convalarium, La Serena Retirement Community, and a founding member of the Conejo Valley Historical Society and Alliance for the Arts.

Throughout her life, Helen valued and expressed her Norwegian ancestry and cultural heritage. Sharing some of her father’s artistic talents she learned the fine art of rosemaling and painted many treasures. She created a beautiful warm home environment and excelled at domestic arts of embroidery, quilting, gardening, cooking and baking, her specialty being Norwegian pastries during holiday seasons. All of these talents have enriched the lives of her family and inspired her children and grandchildren to carry on these traditions through generations. Her long life was attributed to her attitude of acceptance and gratitude as well as a balanced lifestyle and strong faith. Her calm spirit and peaceful nature were a blessing to her family and all the people in her life.

Helen greatly enjoyed a 100th birthday celebration in October, receiving a commendation from the City of Thousand Oaks, President Obama, and countless friends and family. She continued to participate in many community activities such as attending weekly services at Ascension Lutheran Church, art events and concerts at CLU and the Civic Arts Plaza, and enjoyed this strong sense of social connection and appreciation by the broader community.

The family wishes to especially thank Helen’s amazing long time caregivers Barbara McKinnon & Daria Castro, Dana Ross, Ascension Lutheran Church Pastors Larry Wagner, Tim Delkeskamp and Steve Herder from Ascension Lutheran Church, Dr. Paul Reisser, Buena Vista Hospice, and the staff at Our House of Hope. Memorial contributions can be made to Alliance for the Arts, Ascension Lutheran Church, California Lutheran University for the Raymond M. Olson Family Scholarship or Hilleson Art Award, New West Symphony or Our Community House of Hope or Buena Vista Hospice.

Helen was preceded in death by her sister Aagot Challand, brother Edmund Hilleson, and sister Ruth Freeman.

Helen and Raymond Olson’s children are:

Ansgar David Olson (d. 1940), Signe Rich of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Eloise Cohen and son-in-law Chuck of Westlake Village, Rolf Olson of Salem, Oregon and Cathedral City, CA. Grandchildren are: Kevin Rich of San Carlos CA, Gunnar & Melissa Olson of Tualatin, Oregon, Liv & Randy Freeby of Seattle, Washington, Erika Rullman of Malibu, and six great-grandchildren, Hannah and Paige Olson, Johan and Anja Freeby, and Louisa and Max Gayko-Rich. Step grandchildren are Cara and Tom Cohen, Peter Cohen, & Jessica and Joe Herbert of Newbury Park. Step great- grandchildren are Ashley and Michael Pietro of Bailey, Colorado, Lauren and Dylan Burkhart of Tempe, AZ, Hannah Cohen and Sam Herbert and step great-grandchild Kadence Pietro.

Services will be held at noon on Friday, January 24, 2014 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks CA with reception to follow. Burial will be private.

Internment is under the care of Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary, Westlake Village, CA.