Shirley N. Olson

Munising

Shirley Naomi Olson, age 96, of Munising, died late Sunday morning, October 27, 2024 at her home under the loving care of her family. She was born in Canton, Illinois on April 1, 1928 to Cameron and Maggie (Skidmore) Denney. Shirley grew up in central Illinois and graduated from Broadview Academy. She attended Andrews University and met Walter Olson in their chemistry class. They were married on December 21, 1952 in Glendale, California. Shirley earned her bachelor's degree in dietetics at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California. In 1956 Walter and Shirley settled in Munising. It did not take long for Shirley to fall in love with the small town and it became the family’s home. In these early days she was a social butterfly and was involved in many of the social activities the town had to offer, including a women’s golf league. She organized cooking and nutritional classes for the community. She helped Walter with his medical practice, and they were very active in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and School in Munising. Shirley became a full-time Mom with the birth of her sons in 1960 and 1962. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and an organized and immaculate homemaker. She counted many as her friends and was the kind of person who would inadvertently hold up the check out line at the grocery store chatting with the clerk or anyone else who was there. A smile for anyone and everyone.

Shirley is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law – Dr. Mark and Rosie Olson and Dr. Kurt and Rondi Olson; grandchildren – Steven, Natalie, Emily, Eric, Karl, Ryan, and Elizabeth. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter and her sisters - Patsy (Gene) Mason and Mary Lou (Fred) DeVries; half siblings – Grace, Everett “Deek”, Russell, and Austin Denney. 

A memorial service will be held at the Munising Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Saturday, November 23, 2024, following the church service, with a potluck luncheon at 12:00 noon and memorial service to follow at 1:30 p.m., all are welcome. Graveside service, weather permitting will be at 12:00 noon, Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Maple Grove Cemetery.