Fay Olson passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2016.
She was born June 16, 1923 on the family farm in Humbird, Wisconsin. After the death of her father, Fay and her mother moved to Appleton, Wisconsin to be near the family of Fay’s older sister, Viva. Fay attended Appleton West High School, graduating in 1940. She attended the Bowlby Business School before marrying Hilton (Christy) Christianson on May 31, 1941 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Appleton. After World War II, Fay assisted with the bookkeeping at Christy’s popular service station on Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton. She later was employed in the business office of Dr. Neil Brahe. After the death of Christy, Fay married Harold Olson of Fremont, on November 11, 1972. She and Harold made their home on the Wolf River just south of Fremont. In 2011 Fay sold her home on the river and moved to Lake Forest Place, a retirement community, in Lake Forest, Illinois, where she met many new friends, enjoyed playing bridge, and taking part in the wonderful activities offered.
Fay loved outdoor activities including boating, golfing, and snow skiing. Over the years she made several trips with her husband and family by boat to Green Bay and Door County as well as many ski trips with friends and family to Breckenridge, Colorado. She and Harold loved traveling around the state with their friends always in search of a golf course yet to be played. Their passion was skiing at Ski Brule, where they owned a family “chalet”. Fay took great joy in witnessing many of their twelve grandchildren learning to ski. Fay and Harold cruised the river often stopping to swim at “Sandy Beach”, or dining at one of their favorite restaurants along the way. Fay traveled to various parts of the world, having made trips to Scotland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Hawaii, Spain and Alaska. She loved to play cards, especially bridge, and did so throughout her life. She was a member of several bridge clubs over the years and belonged to several community organizations both in Appleton and Fremont, including the American Legion Auxiliary Post 391, Fremont. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Weyauwega and most recently a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Fay was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Blanche (Wilson) Grush, two brothers, Roy and Willard; a son, James, who died of polio in 1952; her sister, Viva; her first husband, Hilton (1972) and her second husband Harold (2005). She is survived by four daughters: Sue (Tom) Maki of Libertyville, IL, Kathleen (Richard) Lowell of Lake Forest, IL, Susan (Randy) Faulks of Weyauwega, WI and Mary Olson Williams of Weyauwega, WI. Twelve grandchildren: Emily (Chet) Weber, Melissa Maki, Derek (fiancée Joanna) Maki; Barrett (Allie) Lowell, Tyler (Kelly) Lowell, Colby (fiancée Michele) Lowell, Courtney Lowell; Jonathan (Crystal) Faulks, Joseph (Lindsay) Faulks, Julia Faulks; Adam (fiancée Rachel) Williams, Peter (Julia Ivanova)Williams; three great grandchildren: Collins Lowell, Farah Faulks, and Emma Weber; as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Fay will be remembered for her spirit of adventure and kind, loving nature. She will be greatly missed and joyfully remembered by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at St. James Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, on Sunday, July 24 at 11:30 a.m. Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Weyauwega, on Monday, July 25 at 11AM. Visitation will be held on Monday, at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of service. Burial will be at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton, WI. The Lewin Funeral Home, Fremont is assisting the family with arrangements.