Shirlee Irene Olson, 92

Shirlee Irene (Pence) Olson, a beloved elementary school teacher and lifelong educator, passed peacefully at her riverside home June 22, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. 

Born to Orville and Merle Pence on Nov. 23, 1931, in Alameda, Calif., Shirlee spent the first years of her life enjoying that area. At age 7, the family returned to Medimont, Idaho, to start a dairy business. She spent her formative years working on the family farm and graduated from Rose Lake High School in a class of nine! 

Shirlee met the absolute love of her life, Robert (Bob) Olson, when he was teaching at Cave Lake School. The pair married in September 1949, and together attended Eastern Washington that fall to pursue their respective degrees in the education field. Shirlee earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington, and an advanced fifth year from Whitworth by attending summer sessions. 

In 1951, Bob was reactivated into the U.S. Navy and Shirlee, along with their infant son, Kenneth, returned to Medimont. Shirlee took over a teaching position for her aunt, Grace Rasor, and completed the school year in her first paid position. 

In 1953, Bob returned from military service and the pair was hired as a teaching couple for the two-room schoolhouse at Spirit Lake, Idaho. It was during that year they welcomed their second son, Robert Jr. 

In 1956, Shirlee and Bob moved to CdA when Bob was hired as principal of Bryan Elementary and Shirlee became a primary teacher at Winton Elementary.  

In 1957, their daughter, Virginia (Ginny Sue), was born, completing their family. Shirlee taught for 30 years at Winton, several years at the District Developmental Center (DDC) and completed her long teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Sorenson Elementary. She was a lifetime member of the Idaho Education Association and a founding member of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) in CdA. She was honored at the Idaho ADK Convention for achieving the 60-year Diamond Member status- one of the handful to ever receive this award. 

In retirement, Shirlee and Bob loved to travel. They took a number of cruises and attended Bob’s annual ship’s reunion at locations throughout the United States, including hosting this event in CdA in 1992. Shirlee enjoyed the company of her many lifelong friends, attending the yearly Rose Lake School reunions and playing BINGO! 

Shirlee was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her two sons, Ken and Bob Jr., and her sister, Penny Sexton. She is survived by her daughter, Ginny (Mark) Drevlow, grandchildren: Kenny Olson Jr., Kristopher (Becki) Maxey, Ryan Grimes and Alexee (Justin) Grimes; numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, loving relatives and former students. 

There will be no services at Shirlee's request. Any commemorative gifts may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, whose services were invaluable in Shirlee’s final days.