Kenneth Olson Obituary

OLSON, Kenneth R. Passed away on August 3rd, 2010 at home with his loving longtime companion, Mary Lou Franzese by his side. Ken was born in Coeur d'Alene September 1st, 1951 to Bob and Shirlee (Pence) Olson. Heattended Bryan Elementary and was active in scouting which resulted in a lifelong love of the outdoors. He spent many happy days swimming, skiing, hunting and fishing throughout the Pacific Northwest. He especially enjoyed his time spent on Lake Pend Oreille commercial blue back fishing with hisgrandparents, Orville and Merle Pence. Ken attended Coeur d'Alene High School and was an active member of chess club, chorus, DECA and was a winning member of the Coeur d'Alene City swim team. He graduated in 1969 and received his AA from N.I.C. Ken's excellent swimming skills led him to a life guard position for severalsummers at Indian Creek State Park on Priest Lake. He earned his S.C.U.B.A. certification and continued his love of the water enlisting the US Coast Guard for a six year tour. During that time Ken attended culinary school and received the training which resulted in his long term chef career. Ken married Roberta Dunn on December 23rd, 1974. They were laterdivorced. They had one son, Ken Jr., on January 29th, 1976. Kenny Jr. shared the love of 'all things outdoors' with his dad. They skied, hunted and fished side by side for many years. Professionally, Ken worked as head chef at many of the PacificNorthwest's premier restaurants, including: the Beach House, the Cedars, the Polynesian, Lake Quinault Lodge and the Riverside Red Lion. He was also the food service director for Silverwood Theme Park for several years. For Ken, cooking for other people was a creative labor of love. During the eleven years he lived in the Lewis-Clark Valley he served as executive chef at two local restaurants and enjoyed preparing gourmet meals for clients of outfitters on the Snake River. He also discovered a passion for serving the residents of assisted living and long term care, providing food servicemanagement at Juniper Meadows and most recently, Life Care Center ofLewiston. Ken loved to travel and found food to be a universal language, whether talking to street vendors or touring the kitchen of a five star hotel. Ken is survived by his son, Ken Olson Jr.; his long term companion, Mary Lou Franzese of Clarkston; his parents, Robert and Shirlee Olson of Coeur d'Alene; his sister, Ginny Drevlow of Lewiston; aunt Penny Sexton of Coeur d'Alene and numerous loving family members. He is also survived by his dear friends in the Big Valley Gourmet Group who he had come to see as hisextended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Olson Jr. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 10th at VASSAR-RAWLS FUNERAL HOME, LEWISTON CHAPEL. The family suggests that memorials in Ken's honor be sent to the American Cancer Society, the Humane Society or the local animal shelter.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review from Aug. 8 to Aug. 9, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Olson

4 Entries

Greg Johnson

August 11, 2010

Dear Bob, Shirlee, Ginny, and Mary Lou:
What can I say about Ken...he was a free spirit with a huge heart who genuinely cared about people. But you already know that.

Ken had sent a sympathy card after my father passed away last year. He cared enough to locate my sisters and I to send his condolences knowing that we would be going through a difficult time. I later was able to get in contact with Ken and we had a great conversation and the years that had elapsed since we last spoke melted away. The ready wit and laugh in his voice was still there as well as his enthusiasm about life. I truly enjoyed that conversation catching up on what had been going on in our lives since we last talked and laughing about some of the fun things I and my family enjoyed with Ken at Priest Lake. I had no idea that would be the last time I would get to talk to him but I am so happy we had that hour or so to talk and reconnect.

There are so many memories of Ken at Priest Lake that I have that are such a part of my life and who I am. Ken became a member of our family also during that time that he worked at Indian Creek. Ken was definitely not shy or retiring and brought a lot of laughter and fun into our house.

You have my deepest sympathy during this time. Ken will be missed.

Best Regards,
Greg Johnson

Jan (Johnson) Latta

August 10, 2010

Dear Bob, Shirlee, & Ginny,
I am so sorry and so sad. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Ken was my first love. I have wonderful memories of my years with him at Priest Lake.
Those bright blue eyes and that engaging smile.

He was always planning something fun. We'd jump on his motorcycle, swing by the Indian Creek Store pick up a box of donuts, then ride up the mountain to the fire station look-out tower to share coffee and donuts with the ranger. We often visited this one fishing hole that 'happened' to have a set of bed springs at the bottom. Ken would dive into that ice melt water and pick the tangled lures off the bed springs like picking ornaments off a tree. I never asked how the bed springs got there. In the fall he'd often have a grin of purple teeth-he loved huckleberries. We'd pick them and take them to my Mom who'd bake him up a pie. He loved to water ski. Ken would jump on his motor cycle, wearing swim shorts, cowboy boots, and sunglasses. Hauling his slalom ski under his arm he'd ride up and down the beaches looking for a boat pulling skiers. Nearly every evening we'd end the day sitting around a camp fire. Life was fun, with Ken.

I was happy to learn that Ken had a son to share his life with, and Mary Lou to share his love with.

I'm grateful to have shared in a part of Kenny's life. I enjoyed my time with your family.
With love and a million tears,
Jan (Johnson) Latta, (Cindy Carroll & Greg Johnson's sister)

I was also sorry to hear about Bobby, please,accept my condolences.

August 9, 2010

Dear Bob and Shirlee, Our hearts are with you, but surely Ken is in a far better place in His arms. My wife and I worked at Priest Lake with Ken when we first met at Indian Creek Campground. As Bill Cosby once said our minds remain at that 20 year old place even though our frames are at 60 and I'm glad to say Ken is part of ours. You raised a wonderful son and we were blessed to have him as a friend. Bill and Cindy Carroll

margo mccormick

August 9, 2010

Dear Bob and Shirley, please accept my sincere condolences. You are in my prayers during this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results