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Gary Olsen Obituary
Gary L. Olsen, 78, of Malta, Illinois, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2022, at his home in Malta, Illinois after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born July 17, 1943, in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Kenneth and Dorothy Olsen.
He started in Big Rock, Illinois then moved to Malta, Illinois in 1951. He graduated from Malta High School in 1961. He then entered the Air Force and eventually moved to Florida before returning to live in Malta a few years later.
Gary married Anne Pico on December 24, 1966 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. They spent the next 50+ years living in Malta, Illinois.
He worked at Lyons Window Wonderland in DeKalb, Illinois for many years. Then started at Northern Illinois University in 1986 until he retirement in 2010. He was also president of the Malta Cemetery Association and a member of the Board of the Malta Fire Department.
He was a avid hunter his entire life. He enjoyed working on restoring antique vehicles at his shop in Malta. He restored many different Austin Healey cars for people all over the world. As well as numerous other cars for himself and others. He also enjoyed his morning coffee "gossip" sessions at the local restaurant in Malta over the years.
He is survived by his son, Scott of Malta, IL; his sister, Karen Penrose of Rockford, IL; Niece, Dana Swanson of Oklahoma City, OK; Nephew, Todd Swanson of Rockford, IL, and his beloved dog Ginger.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Anne Olsen.
Honoring Gary's request there will be no visitation, and a private cremation burial will be held at a later date. There will also be a celebration of life held in late spring or summer of 2022.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Gary Olsen Memorial Fund, addressed to the Olsen Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, Ltd., P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Olsen
Sponsored by Anderson Funeral Home - DeKalb.
Kitty Jouris
December 29, 2023
I graduated with Gary. With just 13 in our class we were like a family. Many great memories♥
Josie Belmont
March 19, 2022
Been grooming his dogs for years now. Ginger brought him so much happiness when they found eachother. I am so sad for everyone's loss. He always took the time to talk to me, he always remember everything happening in my life cause he took the time to care and ask. I loved seeing him and Ginger, and am heartbroken at his passing.
Drew Wells
January 14, 2022
Sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed seeing and talking with Gary.
laura Gelli Kivisto
January 10, 2022
Gary knew what the greatest treasures in life was. Faith, Family and Friends. God had a dream for you, you listened and followed. Lifes struggles are expected but it's how we face them that brings us closer to the greatest gift. May you now receive the gift and the grace that you have always freely given others. Thank You for touching my life. laura Gelli Kivisto
Perry Gilmore
January 7, 2022
I will miss Gary terribly, our times at cardiac rehab, the coffee times in Malta, and most recently, our weekly phone calls. Such a great friend and so many memories.
Rest in peace my friend.
Perry Gilmore
Sharon Brown
January 7, 2022
Happy memories of Gary and his family. Great guy. Will be greatly missed. Sharon Brown(retired Malta postmaster)
Lyle Haumesser
January 6, 2022
Karen, sorry to learn of the passing of your brother, Gary, he leaves behind many life-long friends and became a real asset to the town of Malta for his community service over the years! Scott, your father and grandparents; Kenneth and Dorothy we the salt of the earth - really special people! My sympathy goes out to you and your Aunt Karen!
Gloria Stehl
January 6, 2022
We rode the same school bus and went to the same school. He always was fun to be around. Lots of laughs. So sorry to hear of his passing. My sympathy goes out to the entire family.
Jon Bonansinga
January 6, 2022
We were so sorry to hear about Gary´s passing. He was a wonderful family man and father.
"Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22
I will miss these mornings
Dawn Cook
January 5, 2022
Breakfast club
Dawn Cook
January 5, 2022
Malta Days parade
Dawn Cook
January 5, 2022
Proud FFA supporter
Dawn Cook
January 5, 2022
Coffee and laughs
Dawn Cook
January 5, 2022
With Ginger
Dawn Cook
January 5, 2022
COVID coffee with social distancing in Gary´s driveway
Dawn Cook
January 5, 2022
Dawn Cook
January 5, 2022
I’m so thankful to have called Gary my friend. He was truly one of the most generous, upbeat, caring people that I know. Thank you for the laughs and the memories! I will miss you forever . Prayers to Scott and all of your family and friends.
Kelly Evenson
January 5, 2022
Kelly Evenson
January 5, 2022
Kelly Evenson
January 5, 2022
Kelly Evenson
January 5, 2022
Kelly Evenson
January 5, 2022
Kelly Evenson
January 5, 2022
Kelly Evenson
January 5, 2022
Kelly Evenson
January 5, 2022
Dear Scott, my condolences to you and the rest of your family. Your dad was an amazing man, and I am blessed that he came into my life. Those damn Austin-Healeys ... bringing people together. I so enjoyed every single moment spent with him in the shop or on the phone discussing parts. His laugh was infectious. And boy, did we laugh. A lot. May his magnificent spirit live on in all those who knew him.
Linda Boardman Kerr
January 5, 2022
Like Brenda, I knew Gary from many years at "The Club" (the Cardio Rehab Unit at Kish Hospital. 90% of the time he was smiling, except when loved ones were sick (including canine and feline family members). But he kept his sense of humor through it all, and made us laugh even on gloomy days. He was a good listener too. We all loved him.
Oh, and we´d all commiserate from time to time, and try to figure things out. And complain to each other that "life isn´t fair." But we´d humbly accept our powerlessness. Gary would inevitably mutter the oft used phrase, "Well, I suppose it is what it is... "
Yeah, Gary...it is. We´ll miss you, friend.
Scott Wickman
January 5, 2022
Gary was one of the kindest and most dependable people I've known. He helped me out in many ways since I moved to Malta more than 20 years ago, and I'll really miss him. Such a good guy!
Kitty Jouris
January 5, 2022
I was a classmate of Gary. Because we were a small class we were very close and continued to keep in touch. What memories of MHS! Will be missed by us and many family and friends,Frank and Kitty
Cathy Lynch Bowe
January 5, 2022
So sad to read of Gary's passing. Such a nice guy who did so much for the community and he and Anne were such animal lovers. He will be missed walking the neighborhood with his dog always with a wave and a hello.
Brenda Woker
January 4, 2022
Gary was my Dekalb dad. I am so thankful and grateful that I had 3 recent visits with my dear friend. His Cardiac Rehab Family will always cherish his long list of wonderful qualities, and he will always be our honorary Mayor. He is gone too soon. My heart is so sad.
Sheryl Blahnik
January 4, 2022
I worked with Gary on a number of projects at NIU. Gary was a wonderful man, kind, compassionate and creative. My thoughts and prayers are with Gary’s family.
Werner auto parts/ Lee auto parts/Bumper to Bumper
January 4, 2022
Gary will be missed. I have been working with him for 30 years on his paint and body projects. We always had wonderful banter at the store when he would come in. Our condolences from everyone at bumper to bumper auto parts. Dan
Shirley Parsley Chrestman
January 4, 2022
Rest in peace Gary. Malta has lost a great citizen.
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