Alli Elizabeth Olsen
OLSEN, WESTFALL, RENSING, ROLLINS, SCHENK, SHIMERDLA
Posted By: Megan Ciha (email)
Date: 6/5/2021 at 12:37:38
Alli Elizabeth Olsen was born on June 19, 2011, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was tragically killed in a car accident in West Union, Iowa on Friday May 28, 2021. She attended Heritage Christian School in North Liberty and just completed the 4th grade. Alli was truly an angel among us and openly shared her love for Jesus with others.
Alli was most at home enjoying God’s creation. Whether it was in caring for the barn cats or other farmyard animals or just adventuring through the woods, one could always find her outdoors. At the time of her death, she was on her way to her favorite campground and trout streams.
Alli was a fearless adventurer. No matter the weather, she could always find an outdoor challenge; in the summer it was making countless runs on her zipline and in winter it was turning her snow sled into a snowboard. Be it indoors or out, Alli never met a waterslide she did not like.
One of Alli’s main ways of sharing God’s love with others was through her gift of creativity. She was always making artwork for others. She enjoyed playing the guitar and would even compose her own songs to share with all who would listen.
Alli was not just creative, she also had a flare for business. She ran two businesses as a part of the 4th grade economy. Even in business, her creativity was the star. Her first company, Good Arts, sold Alli’s hand-crafted artwork, while Books, Books and More Books published original Alli manuscripts. Always the leader, she personally designed her new tree house and managed her father during the spring construction.
Passion and joy were hallmarks of Alli’s nine years. She found joy in many things. Alli loved to read, solve math problems, and play with Legos. She and her brother especially enjoyed a playful sword fight. But by far, Alli’s most favorite activity was fishing with her grandpa whom she endearingly referred to as “papa.”
Alli’s family will dearly miss her, especially Daddy will miss waking her each morning by playfully voicing the wide cast of stuffed animal characters that filled her bed, and mommy will miss the times they spent cooking together in the kitchen.
The brightness of her smile and her infectious laughter will be missed by all.Alli is survived by her big brother, Seth Caden Olsen, her parents, Jen and Dave Olsen of Amana, IA, Grandparents, Ron Westfall, Gretchen and Gary Olsen. Extended family Beverly Westfall, Michael Rensing, Fr. Eric Olsen, Nicole, Doug and Joey Ziska, Lisa Olsen, Joshua Rollins, Stephen Schenk, Monica, Frank, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Mary, Lucia, Thomas, Pio, Francis and Abraham Shimerdla, Paul, Kristin, Greta, Luke, Heidi and Veronica Olsen.
Funeral services are planned for 10am Thursday, June 10, 2021, at the Parkview Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at the Blaine Cemetery rural Swisher. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Wednesday, June 9th at the church beginning with a parish vigil service at 3:30pm. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.
For those wishing to making memorial donations, you can leave your donations at the church on Wednesday or Thursday through the funeral home or you can mail them to the funeral home attn. to the family. No online donations are being accepted or encouraged. Funds received will be used to support causes near and dear to the family in memory of Alli.
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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