Elizabeth Jill (Christianson) Olson

Elizabeth “Jill” Olson died Saturday, April 17, 2004 in the loving arms of her husband Paul in Olympia, WA.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 22, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo, MN with burial at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Elizabeth “Jill” Olson was born on May 29, 1928 in Plentywood, MT.  She was the beloved only child of Selmer G. and Thelma M. (Wuest) Christianson.  She was baptized on July 19, 1928 in Medicine Lake, MT where her father owned and operated a grocery store.  She graduated from high school in 1946 in Missoula, MT and from the University of Montana in 1950 with a degree in Home Economics.  She taught high school home economics in Plains, MT.  After 1 year of teaching, she went on to become an airline hostess for TWA based in Brooklyn and San Francisco.  In February of 1954, she met Navy Lt. J.G. Paul David Olson, formerly from Montevideo, MN, on a blind date that became providential.  Jill became his precious bride on July 27, 1954 in Missoula, MT.  They have been companions and best friends on a journey sharing a deep, tender, committed love for just short of 50 years.  Jill was the wind beneath Paul’s wings throughout his Navy and civilian professional life.  Jill was the wonderful mother of 5 daughters: Heidi Lynn Gieske, Elizabeth (Betsy) Carole Gilbert, Sara Kristen Elmstrand, Kirsten Ruth Wees, and Kari Noel Hall.

Jill had a deep Christian faith and always found a way to tirelessly serve others in her family, church and community.  She had a lifelong love for gardening, reading, sports, offering hospitality and she was ever the “hostess with the mostest”.  Her home was always warm and welcoming and an easy place to “be”.  She was a trusted and respected friend to all who knew her.

In recent years, she suffered many affects of Parkinson’s Disease where she lost her mobility but not her courage or strength of character.  She was always gracious and ever a “lady”.

Jill is survived by her husband, Paul; 5 daughters: Heidi Gieske and her husband Allen of Lindstrom, MN, Elizabeth (Betsy) Gilbert and her husband Keith of St. Paul, MN, Sara Elmstrand and her husband Rodney of North Branch, MN, Kirsten Wees and her husband Joel of Olympia, WA, and Kari Hall and her husband Christopher of London, England; 15 grandchildren; 4 sisters-in-law: Lenore (Paul) Olson, Carol Kittelson-Hill, June Olson, and Markey Mow; brother-in-law, Leo Borgendale, and many friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Jill is at peace in the arms of her heavenly Father.