Katherine Laun Olson

Katherine Laun Olson, 87, died peacefully on Sept 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Katie lived a life full of grace, beauty, and resilience as beloved daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, step-mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be best remembered for her bright smile, her warmth and generosity, her creativity and style - and more than anything else the abiding optimism, kindness and love she shared with legions of family and friends.



Born on May 5, 1938, in Evanston, IL, to parents Harold and Mary (Rapp) Laun, she was raised, with older sister Gina (d.2024), in Kenilworth, attending Joseph Sears Elementary School and New Trier High School. She then ventured to southern California to attend Scripps College before returning to the midwest to graduate from University of Wisconsin (BA, Art History). With degree in hand, Katie returned to California in 1960, this time to San Francisco, where her style and love of fashion landed her a job selling hats for Joseph Magnin. It was the beginning of a love affair with rakish chapeaus - a signature flourish often seen atop her fashionably-attired willowy frame.



Katie's sparkle and bright smile eventually caught the eye of former childhood neighbor, William (Bill) R. Hodgson, II (d.1973), who wooed her back to Chicago, where they were wed in the summer of 1963. Katie and Bill then embarked on a two-year working adventure in Europe and England, where they had their first child, Christopher. They returned to Evanston IL, where two more children, Mark and Margot, followed, and Katie quickly had her hands full raising a young family.



After Bill's tragic death in a commuter plane crash in 1973, Katie, now single mother of three children under 10, relocated the family back to the home turf of Kenilworth, amidst her extended clan. With young children settled into school, she explored the abundant volunteer opportunities and activities around the Chicago area. As a docent and member of the Women's Board at the Art Institute, she helped legions of children explore the world of art. Ever creative, Katie channeled her distinctive style and flair into a passion and talent for floral design, competing in and judging flower shows around the country. Her arrangements showed off her intuitive feel for color and texture, her love of nature and botany - and won many a blue ribbon.

Katie was lucky enough to have two amazing partnerships in her life, and, in 1980, she married her second husband, Norman (Norm) L. Olson, Jr. (d.2018), whose children, Kris, David, Jon and Todd, joined forces with Chris, Mark and Margot Hodgson. Wherever their vacations took them, including skiing and hiking in Snowmass, CO, and spending time in White Lake, MI, their abodes were places of welcome to a sprawling family and network of friends - including all manner of furry companions. Large family gatherings were routine, and you never entered Katie's home, so full of generous bounty, without being greeted by her bright smile and a warm hug. As her children and step-children grew up and started families of their own, Katie embraced the role of grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved family celebrations and always brought the best toasts and songs.

Ever resilient and optimistic, Katie's energy was not deterred by Norm's stroke in 2004, and she helped him enjoy the good life until 2018, when he died at 91. Following Norm's passing, Katie joined the Mather retirement community in Evanston, where her active lifestyle was right at home. When not traveling to visit family or participate in flower shows, she could be found playing pool, ping pong and bridge, taking classes, going on outings, and dining and visiting with friends and family.



Katie will be remembered for her many attributes, but overall for her grace, kindness and generosity. She will be missed deeply by those who survive her: her three children and their spouses; her four step-children and their spouses/partners; her fifteen grandchildren and their spouses/partners, and seven great-grandchildren. She is also dearly beloved by her nieces and nephews from the Jannotta, Hart, Hummel, Tukey, Olson and Brodie families.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Kenilworth Union Church or the Chicago Botanic Garden (chicagobotanic.org/donate/tribute), in memory of Katherine L. Olson. A memorial service will be held at the Kenilworth Union Church on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at 11am.