Obituary

Marianne Reynolds Olson was born in Carroll, Iowa on March 23, 1933 to Max and Beatrice Reynolds.  When she was four, they made the big move west to Tacoma, Washington where the family grew to include a sister, Maxine.

After attending schools in Tacoma, Marianne graduated from Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen where the family had relocated.  She attended Grays Harbor Junior College and then Seattle University.  In Bellingham, she met and married Richard Olson.  They wed May 13, 1956 and went on to raise four children.

Besides her family, Marianne’s greatest devotion was to teaching.  It was a real joy for her to pass on her love of books and learning.  She began her teaching career in 1971 after graduating with a BA in Education from Western Washington University, where she later earned her Masters.  She taught her entire 20+ years at Harmony Elementary School and was always thrilled to be remembered by former students.  Teaching was something she continued with her two youngest grandchildren at “Camp Olson”, as their rural home would affectionately become known.

In her retirement years, Marianne volunteered at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham as a float/runner – a happy member of the “blue coats”.  She learned to paint watercolors and the beautiful results adorn their home as well as a commissioned piece hanging in another home.  She and Richard also shared great adventures on their numerous trips to Europe, Asia and Africa.

Marianne passed from this life to the next, peacefully, at home in the house she designed and where she spent 35 wonderful years enjoying the stunning views of the Twin Sisters and Nooksack River in Deming, Washington.

Besides Richard (her spouse of 66 years), Marianne is survived by her sister Maxine Gimber (Harry) of Coronado, CA; her children:  Rick (Penny Olson), Arlane (A. Zopolos), Randy (Patti Mullin), and Andrea (John Perini) all of Bellingham; four grandchildren:  Selena Burgess (Mike), Rachel Bouma (Mike), AJ Zopolos (Nicole) and Ashley Zopolos; six great-grandchildren:  Jersey, Kyndell, Jaxson, Lincoln, Crue and Hayden; and her sister’s children:  Stuart, Julie and James Gimber.  Along with her parents, she was pre-deceased by a brother, James.

A funeral mass will be held on July 13 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Deming at 11:00am.  Marianne requested that attendees celebrate her life by wearing colorful attire.  Also, please note that masks will be required.  Following the service, internment will take place at Greenacres Memorial Park.