Barbara Ann Olson

OLSON, Ann.  September 19, 1948 — August 18, 2024

Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Ann Olson passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 18, 2024 at the Masonic Village Health Care Center in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. She was 75 years old. Born Barbara Ann Walker to Ida (nee Boerma) and Gordon Walker, she grew up on the family farm in Eminence Township, Logan County, Illinois. She graduated from Hittle High School in Armington, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she met her husband, Ron Olson. They were married on September 7, 1968, in Emden, Illinois and would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary next month.

Ann and Ron raised their two children in Frankfort, Illinois, where they also established several businesses. Ann was the president and CEO of Top-Soil Testing Service, an agricultural consulting firm she and Ron co-founded, as well as American Laboratory for Environmental Excellence, an environmental assessment services company, and Applications Mapping Inc, an agricultural software development firm. During her tenure in Frankfort, Ann was involved in several civic organizations including serving nine years as a director of the Will-South Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District, eight years (two terms) on the Frankfort Public Schools Board of Education, and several years on the board of directors for The Center, a non-profit organization in Palos Park, Illinois. Additionally, she was a member of the Class of 1990 Illinois Ag Leadership Program, an appointee to the Illinois Distance Learning Foundation, and served on the crop sciences advisory board for the University of Illinois. Ann and her family were members of the Frankfort United Methodist Church and enthusiastic supporters of the choral music program at Lincoln-Way High School.

After selling their businesses, Ann and Ron relocated to Valrico, Florida. Ron started a new career with Mosaic, an international fertilizer organization, and Ann transitioned to an early retirement. She continued her civic involvement, serving on the board of directors for ECHO of Brandon (Emergency Care Help Organization). As the severity of her Multiple Sclerosis symptoms increased, Ann eventually stopped her volunteer work.

In 2017, Ann and Ron made another significant change and relocated to Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. This move brought them closer to family, including their grandchildren. They put down roots at the Masonic Village, a retirement community that is located on a property that includes a working farm that has been in operation for more than 100 years. Ann enjoyed being in a rural setting once again and the opportunity to observe the seasonal cycles that come with farm living. She particularly delighted in seeing the spring calves as they sunned themselves alongside the herd.

Ann was predeceased by her parents. Survivors include: her loving husband, Ron Olson of Elizabethtown; her daughter and son-in-law, Shaun and Benjamin Levi of Hershey, Pennsylvania; her son, Erik Olson of Biddeford, Maine; her grandchildren, Rosie and Dewey Levi; her siblings, Jim Walker, Sue O’Neal, Bob Walker, and Kurt Walker, all of Illinois; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Paula Olson of Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the team at the Masonic Village Health Care Center for the excellent support and thoughtful care they demonstrated while assisting Ann over the last several months. The family also wishes to thank all the people who supported Ann throughout the years that she faced the challenges of living long-term with Multiple Sclerosis. Your assistance made her life that much better.

A celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Sell Chapel, Masonic Village Elizabethtown, PA. Visitation will be from 1-2 PM with the service and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ann’s honor to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (https://mymsaa.org/donate/honor-and-memorial-donations) or a community-based, charitable organization serving your geographic area.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.finkenbinderfamily.com. Services have been entrusted to Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Elizabethtown.