Marian E. Olson

Marian E. Olson, 97, of Rockford, passed away on December 14, 2022. She was born August 20, 1925, in a farmhouse near Brodhead, Wisconsin, the daughter of Alfred and Pearl (Roderick) Zingrich. Marian married Roy Olson on December 7, 1947, in Rockford; he preceded her in death on April 25, 2009. Following graduation from Brodhead High School in 1943, she moved to Rockford to enlist in the Cadet Nurse Corps. She graduated with her RN at Rockford Memorial Hospital in 1947. During her entire nursing career she worked at RMH - initially in Labor and Delivery, and then in the Newborn Nursery where she served as Head Nurse for many years.

Marian was an active volunteer for the Visiting Nurses Association, the Center for Sight & Hearing, Crusader Clinic, Meals on Wheels, Midway Village, Rockford Entertainment League, and the Christmas Stocking Club. She enjoyed performing with the Senior Network intergenerational puppet show for Head Start and Rockford Public Schools preschool children. She served as an officer for the RMH Nurses Alumni Association. She was a member of the Blackhawk Trails Hiking Club and multiple bowling leagues. She loved traveling throughout the USA and all over the world. Other activities included bicycling, gardening, crocheting, bus tours with her sister, as well as attending concerts and plays. She was a wonderful cook and baker who was well known for her Christmas pies and cookies.

Marian is survived by her children, James (Thanh) Olson, Janice (Ron) Veitch, and Richard (Karen) Olson; grandchildren, David (Thuy) Olson, Jennifer (Tyler) Petrides, Jeffrey Olson, Gregory (Claire) Olson, and Daniel Olson; sister-in-law, Joanne Zingrich, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents; husband, Roy; grandson, Christopher Veitch; and siblings Glenn Zingrich, Alfred Zingrich Jr., Gladys Zingrich, and Charlene Courtney.

Private services will be held. Burial will be in Scandinavian Cemetery. The family requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crusader Clinic, 1200 W. State Street Rockford, IL 61102. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.