Josephine Olson

1940 - 2024

Josephine "Jo" Olson
Manistee, MI
April 29, 1940 - March 15, 2024
Josephine "Jo" Olson, age 79 of Manistee, Michigan died Friday, March 15, 2024 at Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital.
She was born on April 29, 1944 in Manistee the daughter of Clarence Edward and Dorothy Grace (Ware) Olson.
Josephine, who preferred to be called Jo, was born with cerebral palsy and at the time of birth the doctor said she most likely would not live to see her 20th birthday, BOY, did she prove them wrong as she lived to age 79. She for the most party lived a pretty normal life despite her disability. As a kid Jo's one joy was to ride her bike and sing country western songs at the top of her voice. Jo lived with her parents all of her life, but on occasion would go to spend time with her relatives and friends. Jo went on numerous trips to Florida to visit relatives and friends, and many trips to the U.P. with her parents. Jo had a good memory and to the very end could recall the events of these trips, names, places, dates and so on. Jo also was very artistic, she made many pencil drawings, black and white, and in color and showed them to many people of which some said they were of professional quality.
Jo's biggest challenge in life came in 1995 when the family home burned and she was severely burned. She spent 4 months in recovery in the hospital burn center in Grand Rapids. While there, she had a birthday and her sister Sandra, sent a letter to her favorite country singer Vince Gil – a dream come true – for her birthday Vince Gil sent her a big bouquet of flowers with a nice note. That more then made her day.
Jo is survived by her brother David C. Olson, sisters Sandra Feldhak and Sylvia Harju, brother-in-law John Niesen and numerous nieces and nephews. Jo also expressed her many thanks to her last caregivers Danielle and Allan.
Jo was preceded in death by her parents and her brother and sisters-in-law Darwin & Patricia Olson, Duane and Patricia Olson, Daniel and Jerri Olson, sister Kreyhbel Niesen, brothers-in-law, Elwyn Harju, Donald "Frosty" Feldhak and sister-in-law Jean Olson.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee, MI at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Dennis D. Rahn officiating. The family will receive friends at the church, from10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service.
Memorials in Jo's name can be made to Trinity Lutheran School in Manistee. Envelopes will be available at the church on Saturday morning.
The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.