Olson, Cathleen "Cathy" (Mrs. Lanny) 1954-2018

OLSON, HAZEL, RONSIEK

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

Cathleen “Cathy” Olson, 64, of Sioux Falls passed away May 1, 2018 at the Dougherty hospice following a 2 year battle with cancer.

Cathy was born on January 17, 1954 in Hawarden Iowa to Harold and Wilma (Hazel) Ronsiek. The oldest of three Cathy spent her childhood on a farm outside of Hawarden. She graduated from West Sioux High school, and in 1976 received her bachelors degree in biology from Westmar College in LeMars Iowa. She went on to work at the Mayo Clinic, Whink Products, and Interbake foods in Sioux City Iowa.

Cathy met her husband, Lanny Olson, on a blind date in Sioux City and the two were married on April 26, 1986 at the United Methodist church in Hawarden, the same church Cathy was confirmed in. Cathy and Lanny moved to Sioux Falls and had two children, Brooke and Peter, who Cathy stayed home with while they were in school. Cathy was an active parent, volunteering at her children’s school, and never missing a soccer or baseball game.

Cathy went back to work as an administrative assistant at the Avera Health Plans, but her favorite things to do always involved being with her family. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Disney World and Hawaii, and taking road trips to St. Paul to visit Peter or Nashville to visit Brooke. In addition to traveling Cathy loved to spend time at home with her friends, going for walks, reading, gardening and watching the Minnesota Twins play. One of Cathy’s favorite things was spending time with her family’s dogs, and she always made a point to ask about the pets of any friends.

Cathy loved her friends and family, and they loved her too. She was always making sure to remember the birthdays and anniversaries of loved ones, and maintained friendships with friends she made from as far back as elementary school.

Cathy is survived by her husband Lanny, and her two children, Brooke (Nashville) and Peter (St. Paul). She is also survived by her sister Cindy (Kent) Smith of Storm Lake Iowa, sister in law Lisa Drost of Sibley Iowa, brother in law William (Bonnie) Olson of Lakeville MN, sister in law Becky (Darwin) Hofer of Elko MN, mother in law Dorothy Olson of Sioux Falls and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Cathy is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Vince Ronsiek. Memorials may be directed to the Sioux Falls Humane Society and the West Sioux Educational Foundation.

Memorial Services will begin 11:00 am Monday at Peace Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the Grace Hill Cemetery, Hawarden, IA. Visitation with the family will be from 4:00-6:00 pm Sunday, with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:00 pm at Miller Westside Funeral Chapel.

Source: Miller Westside Funeral Chapel online obituary.