Betty Olsen

Obituary of Betty V. Olsen

Betty Violet (Anderson) Olsen passed peacefully in her home at age 93 on June 4, 2021, accompanied by her family.

Betty survived her first husband, Ralph A. Calligan, and her second husband Eugene B. Olsen. She is survived by her sister, Jean Tracy; son, John Calligan (Shelly), and her daughter, Bonnie J.C. Taylor (Christopher); her 5 grandchildren: Shawn Calligan (Jamisa Barrett), Jennifer Crawford (Dan), Christopher Taylor (Julia), Jonathan Taylor (Brittany), Anna Waldner (Kaulin); and 4 great-grandchildren: Jasper, Lily, Amelia and Jaxon. Betty also left behind numerous beloved family members and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Betty was born the fourth of six siblings in Duluth, MN on February 14, 1928, to Andrew and Christine Anderson. She was an adventurous soul! When invited to move to Tacoma with her brother, Lloyd and sister Jean shortly after WWII, she jumped in the car with a moment’s notice to make the big move to the west coast.

Once there, she met and married Ralph Calligan, Jr. They bought a small farm in Puyallup near Ralph’s family in1955. Both John and Bonnie were born and grew up on the farm. Betty always worked hard to care and provide for her family. She worked building furniture in a factory by day and cared for her family and the farm on evenings and weekends.

Betty was unexpectedly widowed at the age of 39 when Ralph suffered a heart attack at work. Her highest priority was always to love and care for her children, and that became her primary focus for the coming years.

She was remarried in 1969 to Eugene “Pete” Olsen. They continued to farm the property on Stewart Ave as well as other acreage in the Puyallup Valley. Pete passed in 1993. Betty continued to live on the farm until she moved to Marion Court in 1995 where she lived until her death.

Betty’s greatest joys in life were spending time with and caring for family and friends. She truly had a giving heart, and a witty sense of humor. She was loved for her many gifts. She was the family expert for making gravy, ginger snap cookies, summer picnic potato salad, and crocheted blankets. She was active in the Vasa Scandinavian club. She lovingly participated in her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren's lives, and supported both family and friends. Betty was very wise, and was always the person you could go to for

help, advice, and a cookie whenever you needed it. We are grateful for all the ways she blessed each one of us.

Please join us for a Memorial Service to celebrate Betty’s life at 11:00 A.M., Saturday June 26, 2021, at Cockrell’s, 6613 114th Ave. Ct. E., Puyallup WA 98372.

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A Memorial Tree was planted for Betty
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Service
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