Submitted by: Dan Rich

Elinor J. Olson

March 28, 1928 -- July 24, 2007

South Bend Tribune 7/27/2007

SOUTH BEND -- Elinor J. "Elie" Olson, 79, passed away Tuesday, July 24, at 11 p.m. in Hospice House following complications of a stroke. Mrs. Olson was born on March 28, 1928, in St. Johnsville, NY, to the late H. Fred and Agnes Guhring of Frankfort, NY. She received her registered nursing degree in 1948 from Union University School of Nursing located in Albany, NY. Mrs. Olson met her future husband, Donald T. Olson, while he was a senior student at Albany Medical School. Dr. and Mrs. Olson were married on July 29, 1950, in Frankfort, NY, and they came to Memorial Hospital where she was a nurse and he was a intern. After her husband completed his medical residency in Minnesota in 1957, the couple returned to South Bend. In addition to being a devoted mother to her four children, Mrs. Olson dedicated much of her time to civic and charitable activities. As a member of the Junior League she was chairman of the Arts Council, which implemented the first Michiana calendar of events. Mrs. Olson was a member of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, co-leader of the Great Books Program, and served on the board of The Mental Health Association. She was a 50-year member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir and served on the church council. Aside from her love of tennis and reading, she was an avid cook. One of her greatest joys was preparing gourmet meals for her family.

Mrs. Olson is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 57 years and her four children, Caron (Joseph/deceased) Stante of South Bend, Jean Olson of Chicago, Jon (Marlene) Olson of Jupiter, FL, and Lori (Edward) Nettels of Valparaiso. She is also survived by her 17 adoring grandchildren and a great-grandson. She has a sister, Fay (Son) Davis, who resides in Ilion, NY. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Jon Guhring, and an infant grandchild, Michael Garret Olson.