Barbara Jean Olson

Barbara was born on September 1, 1932 in Manchester, New Hampshire to Henry and Lillian Fisk. She had a younger sister, Shirley Fisk. Barbara and her sister would enjoy building playhouses in the orchard, feeding the chickens and playing in the barn on her family’s chicken farm. She took joy in smelling the peonies in the garden behind her house, picking strawberries and blueberries and playing card games. Growing up, she visited Wells Beach in Maine yearly with her sister, aunt and grandma where she had a wonderful time digging clam shells and roller skating at the local rink.

She graduated from Manchester High School in New Hampshire and then decided to pursue nursing school at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts in which she graduated in 1954. She worked at a hospital in Boston for two years when she made the decision to move to Colorado in 1956. Once in Colorado, she worked at St. Anthony’s hospital and later at Mercy Hospital in labor and delivery.

Barbara had a deep faith in Christ. She grew up a member of the Frist Baptist Church in New Hampshire. After her move to Colorado, she began attending the First Baptist Church in Denver where she met Virgil Olson who she wed in January of 1959. They later joined Green Mountain United Methodist Church where Barbara was a member for over 40 years.

Barbara and Virgil shared a love of the Colorado Mountains. The Olson family spent lots of time camping, hiking and fishing. Eventually, they purchased a family cabin near Granby, Colorado where lots of memories were created with family and friends. In addition to her love of the mountains, Barbara also loved and had a passion for her dear grandchildren, beloved dogs, local history, volunteering and studying genealogy.

Barbara is survived by her children Cathy Lytle (Kelly) and Bob Olson (Karen), her granddaughters Carly Lytle and Kelsey Lytle, former husband Virgil Olson and her nieces Carol Simms, Nancy Luce and her nephew Ken Dow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made be made to the Golden History Museum and Park where Barbara volunteered. goldenhistory.org/donate