Judith Ann Olson

Judith A Olson of Spencer Iowa, died at home on March 11, 2026 after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. A celebration of her life with be held Saturday, March 14th at Grace United Methodist Church, Spencer, IA with visitation one hour prior. The family is being assisted with arrangements by Warner Funeral Home, Spencer, IA. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.warnerfuneralhome.com.

Judith was born on July 27, 1942 in Cleghorn, IA, the daughter of James and Alta (Birch) Wilcox. She was born on a dairy farm in the same room her father had been born in 30 years earlier. She graduated from Cleghorn High School in 1960, where she served as her Senior Class President, Prom Queen and homecoming attendant. She received her B.A in Elementary Education in three years from Buena Vista University in 1963; her M.A. in Education (Early Childhood) from the University of Northern Iowa in 1993; and holds a Ph. D ADB (all but dissertation) in Philosophy of Education and Human Resources Studies from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. She married Verle Laursen in 1963 and they divorced in 1978. Verle and Judith had two children, Jim Lee Laursen, born in 1969 and Lisa Ann Laursen, born in 1971. While married, Verle and Judith owned Laursen Construction Company. Judith was later married to Michael Olson from 1980-1985.

Judith began her career in education in 1963 and loved teaching grade school in Spencer Iowa for twenty-nine years. She also worked as an Educational Consultant at Lakeland AEA 2, Cylinder, from 1997-2000. She was a Lead Teacher and Consultant from June 1993-2001 with the University of Iowa Chautauqua Program, assisting in leading educational workshops in Iowa, Oklahoma and Florida. She served as an Adjunct Teacher from 1997-2001 for Morningside College in Sioux City and Drake University in Des Moines. She was an elected Spencer Community School Board Member from 1999-2002.

Judith enjoyed many honors, such as the NEWEST (NASA Educational Workshops for Elementary School Teachers) in 1994 at Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville, Alabama; the 1996 GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturing Association) Excellence in Aviation Education Award in 1996; the Female Educator of the Year, Spencer, IA in 1996; Alternate Iowa Teacher of the Year in 1997; and National Teacher Forum Member (U.S. Department of Education) in 1997. She served as a federal peer grant reviewer from 1997-Present for the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Labor; U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She enjoyed traveling to Washington, D.C. for many years serving as a peer grant reviewer working with educators, and other professionals, from all over the United States.

Judith was active in many organizations. She became a member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG), a professional honorary Society for Women Educators, in 1982, and served as the chair of many committees at the state level, and as president and chair of many committees in her local Chi Chapter. She attended the

U.S. Legislative Forum National Legislative Seminar (NLS), Delta Kappa International in Washington DC many years and was elected as the Northwest Regional Representative, U.S. Legislative Forum from 2008-2010. She received the Iowa DKG Achievement Award in 2008.

Judith was baptized and confirmed in the Cleghorn Presbyterian Church, Cleghorn, IA; a member of Bethany Lutheran Church for 15 years; a long-time member since 1980 of the Grace United Methodist Church, Spencer, and served on many boards and committees. She was until recently the Church Council Chair, and a member of the church finance committee, the foundation disbursement committee, and the church foundation board. She was a member of Ruth Circle, and the Treasurer of United Methodist Women for several years. She enjoyed attending the Iowa Annual United Methodist Conference on the campus of Iowa State University and in Des Moines. Judith’s faith was strong and it was impacted by her paternal grandfather, Charlie Wilcox, who lived with her family as she grew up on the family farm.

Judith enjoyed serving as an educator and her greatest passion was instilling positive values and qualities in her children, grandchildren, and in all her many students throughout the years.

She is survived by her son, Jim Laursen and his wife, Megan Tooker, of Johnston, IA, and their children Brady James Tooker Laursen, and Avery Hanna Tooker Laursen; and her daughter, Lisa Laursen, of Boulder, CO, and her son, Freddie William Gluck III, of Los Angeles, CA. She is also survived by many relatives, including several cousins and their families; as well as many friends and former students, who live all over the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jim Wilcox; and sister, Janice Abrahamson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Judith’s honor giving to causes that were especially important to her: Grace United Methodist Church, Spencer, IA (www.spencergumc.com), Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International, and Spencer Community Schools.