Hazel Olsen Larsen

1939 - 2021

Hazel Olsen Larsen
August 27, 1939 - November 13, 2021
Cambria, California - Hazel Olsen Larsen (nee Wilhite) passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 13th in Cambria, California after a long illness. She is survived by husband Robert Larsen, son Randy Olsen, daughter Kimberly Olsen Dominguez, brother Curtis Wilhite, grandchildren Abra Dominguez, Eric Olsen, Ben Dominguez, great-grandson Mason Dominguez, stepdaughters Cindy Larsen, Jennifer Larsen and nieces Becky Fielder, Laura Wilhite. Her oldest son, Kevin Olsen predeceased her. Born August 27, 1939, in Grand Saline, Texas, the Wilhite family lived briefly in San Francisco and later became long-time residents of Fresno. Hazel did well academically, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Art from Fresno State University. She married her first husband Kenneth Olsen and Kevin, Randy and Kimberly arrived soon after.
Hazel was a talented entrepreneur who started Potters Studio in Fresno in the early 1970s. She was the creative talent and visionary behind what turned out to be a very successful ceramics studio that locally manufactured wind chimes, sculptures and garden friends which were sold in gift shops and retail stores throughout the world. At one point, Potters Studio ceramics were being sold in the gift shops of the Louvre Museum and the Vancouver Aquarium! Her children, Kimberly and Randy later joined her in the business, helping her out with their artistic and business skills. Hazel had abundant artistic talent; her commercial success was in ceramics, but she was also exceptionally talented with fiber art and fabric design. She could sew anything and she won multiple awards for designs in this medium. She also was an excellent cook; she was renowned for her lemon meringue pies, pecan pies, persimmon cookies and Mandarin chicken wings.
Hazel met Robert in 1979 and they later married in 1984. Active in the Fresno Danish Dancers, the Great Danes (a Scandinavian Folk Music group) and the Bethel Church Choir, they maintained an exciting and busy schedule outside of running their own businesses for decades which led to great friendships and many adventures in the US and Europe. In 2016, it was time to retire, so Hazel and Robert moved to Cambria permanently so they could enjoy a quieter lifestyle.
Hazel dealt with multiple serious health issues for many years, but she managed to stay active and engaged until the last few years of her life. Even during these final years, she was good-natured about trying to stay as physically active as was possible - as long as she got her glass of wine at 5:00 sharp.
We would like to thank Central Coast Home Care and Hospice, NP Cesilia Lomeli, Michele Duero and Sara Messer from Home Free Solutions and Dr. Brent Bluett for their compassionate care during her final year.
Hazel will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
In light of the current Covid pandemic, a celebration of life has been postponed to a future date.
Hazel had broad interests, and she was a dedicated philanthropist. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following worthy charities in Hazel's memory.
CurePSP – Providing information and support for patients and their families, other caregivers, researchers, and healthcare professionals on prime of life neurodegeneration including PSP, CBD, MSA, and related diseases.
Save The Music Foundation - Helping kids, schools, and communities discover their full potential through the power of making music.
P.S. Arts - Advancing equity and opportunity through arts education IN 57 schools across Los Angeles County and California's Central Valley.
Arbor Day Foundation - Planting trees where they're needed most.