Mary Olson, 90

Mary Kathryne Olson, 90, of Coeur d’Alene, died Friday, June 14, 2013, in her residence at Coeur d’Alene Homes. Her final days were spent surrounded by loving family and friends.

Mary was born on Oct. 6, 1922, in Colchester, Ill., to Myron and Myra Carmack. She graduated from Rock Island High School, and went on to earn a B.S. degree in education from Western Illinois State Teachers College. She later received an M.A. degree in public health from the University of Minnesota and moved to Montana for work. In Montana, Mary met Arthur Olson, and they were married on March 15, 1958. That same year they moved and began their lives together in Coeur d’Alene. On Jan. 17, 1962, Art and Mary expanded their family and welcomed a baby girl, Karen.

Mary dedicated her life to public service. In her early years she was a physical education teacher in Jolliet, Ill., and later a health consultant for the state of Montana. Mary was a foster parent, and she was an active member in Trinity Lutheran Church. Her most prominent contribution was to the Coeur d’Alene Homes Auxiliary, where she served as the representative from Trinity Lutheran Church, and as a volunteer coordinator for the Coeur d’Alene Homes Auxiliary Trading Post. Over the course of 37 years, Mary helped raise well over $325,000 for Coeur d’Alene Homes, a nonprofit assisted living facility where Mary was fortunate enough to live during her last few months.

She is survived by her granddaughter and family, Kyla, Robert, Taryn and Emery Walters; grandsons and families, Kelly, Brycen and Aubree Gonser, and Casey and Jayden Gonser; daughter-in-law and family, Sally, Natalya and Tatyana Gonser; and brother Lee Carmack. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Arthur Olson; daughter Karen; son-in-law Ted; brothers, Meredith, Joe, Lynn, Wes and Robert; and sister Roberta. There are also numerous extended family members surviving from both the Carmack and Olson families.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church on the corner of Fifth and Reid Street in Coeur d’Alene. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Coeur d’Alene Homes. Please visit Mary’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.