Gertrude Olson was born on May 24, 1913 in Sedgwick Co., Colorado. She was the oldest of 2 daughters born to Uriah and Mabel Bonawitz From. When Gertrude was 7 years old, the family moved to a farm south of Venango. She attended school in Venango and graduated from Venango High School in 1931. Her desire was to be a teacher and she attended Kearney State Teacher’s College for 2 years and received her teaching certificate. Gertrude returned to Venango where she taught first and second grade for 5 years.
Gertrude was a high school sweetheart of Ted Olson and they were married on April 16, 1938 in Denver Colorado . They moved to a farm northeast of Venango in 1942 where Gertrude was a supportive farm wife and mother. She accepted the Lord in 1944 and raised her children in a Christian home. Ted and Gertrude were active in the Venango Community Church for many years. Ted died in 1994 and Gertrude continued to live on the farm until 1997 when she moved to Westview Retirement in Grant. In 2012 she moved to Golden Ours Convalescent Home where she died on Thursday night, April 30, 2015. She had reached the age of 101.
In addition to her parents and husband, Gertrude was preceded in death by one son, Neal and her sister, Evelyn Mort.
She is survived by 2 daughters- Cara (Robert) Sauer of Ogallala and Lana (Tim) Stutzman of Brush Colorado; 1 son- Loy (Julie) of Lincoln; 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services- Monday, May 11, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at the Venango Community Church with Pastor Chris Costrini, officiating. Burial will be held in the Venango Cemetery. Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.