LOIDE OLSON

1933 - 2022

LOIDE (SCHUTES) OLSON, 89, was called to her eternal home on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. Born Jan. 18, 1933, she was a daughter of Winfred and Bertha Luebke. She grew up in Fort Wayne with deep faith, and strong Lutheran values which instilled in her a commitment of service. In June of 1950 she graduated Concordia High School. While attending Concordia High School she met John G. Schutes. They were married shortly after John graduated Air Force flight school. Loide lived a full and fruitful life marked by incredible grace and kindness. During her time as the wife of an U.S. Air Force pilot, she supported her husband John and the wives of other officers while their husbands were on long deployments including tours of duty to Vietnam in the 1960's and 1970's. After her husband's death on Jan. 17, 1983, she returned to her beloved Fort Wayne to be closer to her mom and siblings. While there she met Pastor Roger Olson and they were married on Aug. 15, 1987. After marrying Roger, she began serving as a Pastor's wife, another support role she excelled at. During her life Loide was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Throughout her final days her faith was strong. She never lost her sense of humor or her tenacity. During one of the last visits with her boy's she gave them advice and encouragement - she never stopped being a mom. In addition to being a mom to her family, Loide also volunteered and was a member of the Auxiliary at Lutheran Life Villages for over 30 years where she was active in caring for others. Loide was a devoted grandmother and passionate supporter of her grandchildren. Over the last 35 years she delighted in experiencing many sporting events, graduations, weddings, commissions into military service and endless Christmas and birthday party gatherings. Loide is survived by her husband, Pastor Roger Olson of Fort Wayne; three sons, Jeff of Washington, D.C., Paul (Gerri) of Atlanta, Ga., and John (Anne) of Brimfield, Mass.; stepson, Chuck (Jennifer) Olson of Lancaster, Ohio; six grandchildren, Allison (Jen) Schutes of Washington, D.C., John Schutes Jr. of Port St. Joe, Fla., Rachel Schutes of Port St. Joe, Fla., Katherine Schutes of Baltimore, Md., Sarah Schutes, Atlanta, Ga., and Tyler Olson of Lancaster, Ohio; and three great-grandchildren, Ellerie, Brooklyn and Emerson Schutes, all of Washington, D.C. Loide was preceded in death by her parents, Winfred and Bertha Luebke; sisters, Rita Geary and Gloria Richter; and brother, Fred Luebke. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 4245 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne (IN 46815), where a visitation gathering with her family is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. A burial service will follow immediately at Concordia Cemetery Gardens, 1801 Maumee Ave., Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lutheran Life Villages, Chapel Fund thru Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, 520 North Second St., Decatur, IN 46733.