Susan Jean Olsen
July 5, 1946 — November 13, 2023
Susan "Susie" Jean Olsen (Roeh)
July 5, 1946 - November 13, 2023
Susan "Susie" Olsen passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 13, 2023, at University of Nebraska Medicine. Susie was born in Denison, IA, to Martin and Elizabeth "Betty" (Servoss) Roeh on July 5, 1946. Susie was the eldest daughter of three girls, Mary Theresa (Dennis) Smith and Edna (Scott) Arends.
She attended grade school at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School and graduated from the Denison Community High School in 1964. In 1967, she was wed to Harold Olsen of Dow City, IA, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Together, they shared 55 years of marriage, creating a beautiful life and caring home for their growing family. In 1973, through Susie's encouragement, the couple purchased an acreage east of Denison, which served as the family home for nearly 50 years.
Susie was a devout Christian and lived a life filled with many of God's blessings. Being a dedicated homemaker, you could often find Susie in the kitchen preparing family meals, in her sewing room making clothes for her children to wear to school, or making crafts with the grandkids, as that was her specialty. Her family and friends will fondly remember her creative skillset; as you look around the homes of her loved ones, you will see many of Susie's handmade creations.
When her children were grown and with the support of her husband, she opened Susie's Fabrics and Crafts in Downtown Denison, where she displayed many of her custom creations. She managed the store daily with the help of her sister, Mary, and youngest child, Laura. She hosted complimentary sewing classes at the store for the Lutheran Ladies Sewing Circle and St. Rose students. Though Susie always carried the materials so her customers could recreate her displays, many wanted one of their own Susie creations. Her skills even won her a competition in a popular craft publication, Country Women Magazine, where they featured Susie and her fabric woven egg basket in a special article. No one was surprised when the cost of wire egg baskets inflated after the article was published.
Her skills extended to her gentle way with nature. Susie had an impressive green thumb, tending to the garden and caring for many thriving plants. She even grew a full-size apple tree from a seed on the family acreage. Susie looked at things differently than many. Where one would see a ripened gourd, she saw a birdhouse in the making or an Easter rabbit for grandkids to play with.
A woman of many talents, she put every part of herself into anything she did. Susie was a gracious woman who showed kindness to anyone who crossed her path. Whether it was a Book'Em Dano's worker coming up the stairs to her craft shop needing help to repair a broken strap, helping a bride with last-minute wedding dress alterations, or creating costumes for corporate events, Susie executed each project with extreme precision while showing the utmost grace for others.
When Susie wasn't crafting or making her delicious food, you could find her with her family, cheering her grandkids on at ballgames, musicals, and even the occasional at-home talent show. Each grandchild knew a trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house meant gathering around the kitchen table to learn a new craft Susie had chosen for the day. Susie's pride was in her family, and each success they celebrated was one she cherished. Susie's memory will remain with each family member, and her qualities will forever continue to shine through them.
In 2019, Susie was able to live out her dream of visiting Alaska when she and Harold were invited to join their son Andy's family vacation. Harold and Susie climbed aboard a cruise ship and enjoyed a weeklong adventure, taking in the scenery, fishing excursions and fun family entertainment.
In 2022, Susie and Harold sold the family acreage and settled into their dream home in Denison. Their entire family supported this new chapter and were actively involved every step of the way.
In her 77 years, Susie was a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and dear friend to many. She is survived by her loving husband, Harold Olsen, and devoted children, Elizabeth (Tom) McLaughlin, Christopher (Beatrice) Olsen, Eric (Darla) Olsen, Andrew (Laurel) Olsen, and Laura (Scott) Rogge. Susie and Harold were also blessed with many grandchildren: Timothy (Elizabeth) Hovick and Haleigh (Tyler) Hochstetler, Alyssa and Kara Sloane, Martin Olsen, Muriel McLaughlin, Ethan, Grant and Claire Olsen, and great-grandchildren Lucy and Allison Hovick (Tim), and Ezekiel Olsen and Oliver Hochstetler (Haleigh).
Susie is preceded in death by her parents, Martin Roeh and Elizabeth (Servoss) Roeh and parents-in-law Leroy and Berna Olsen.
Mass of Christian Burial for Susie will be December 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. Visitation will occur in the church lobby prior to mass from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Interment will follow at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery and lunch at the church's parish center.
Susie's service will be livestreamed and recorded via www.PauleyJones.com
Thank you for your smiles, your tears, your laughter, your hugs, and all the prayers you shared with us. We count ourselves truly blessed. Harold Olsen and Family.
July 5, 1946 - November 13, 2023
Susan "Susie" Olsen passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 13, 2023, at University of Nebraska Medicine. Susie was born in Denison, IA, to Martin and Elizabeth "Betty" (Servoss) Roeh on July 5, 1946. Susie was the eldest daughter of three girls, Mary Theresa (Dennis) Smith and Edna (Scott) Arends.
She attended grade school at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School and graduated from the Denison Community High School in 1964. In 1967, she was wed to Harold Olsen of Dow City, IA, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Together, they shared 55 years of marriage, creating a beautiful life and caring home for their growing family. In 1973, through Susie's encouragement, the couple purchased an acreage east of Denison, which served as the family home for nearly 50 years.
Susie was a devout Christian and lived a life filled with many of God's blessings. Being a dedicated homemaker, you could often find Susie in the kitchen preparing family meals, in her sewing room making clothes for her children to wear to school, or making crafts with the grandkids, as that was her specialty. Her family and friends will fondly remember her creative skillset; as you look around the homes of her loved ones, you will see many of Susie's handmade creations.
When her children were grown and with the support of her husband, she opened Susie's Fabrics and Crafts in Downtown Denison, where she displayed many of her custom creations. She managed the store daily with the help of her sister, Mary, and youngest child, Laura. She hosted complimentary sewing classes at the store for the Lutheran Ladies Sewing Circle and St. Rose students. Though Susie always carried the materials so her customers could recreate her displays, many wanted one of their own Susie creations. Her skills even won her a competition in a popular craft publication, Country Women Magazine, where they featured Susie and her fabric woven egg basket in a special article. No one was surprised when the cost of wire egg baskets inflated after the article was published.
Her skills extended to her gentle way with nature. Susie had an impressive green thumb, tending to the garden and caring for many thriving plants. She even grew a full-size apple tree from a seed on the family acreage. Susie looked at things differently than many. Where one would see a ripened gourd, she saw a birdhouse in the making or an Easter rabbit for grandkids to play with.
A woman of many talents, she put every part of herself into anything she did. Susie was a gracious woman who showed kindness to anyone who crossed her path. Whether it was a Book'Em Dano's worker coming up the stairs to her craft shop needing help to repair a broken strap, helping a bride with last-minute wedding dress alterations, or creating costumes for corporate events, Susie executed each project with extreme precision while showing the utmost grace for others.
When Susie wasn't crafting or making her delicious food, you could find her with her family, cheering her grandkids on at ballgames, musicals, and even the occasional at-home talent show. Each grandchild knew a trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house meant gathering around the kitchen table to learn a new craft Susie had chosen for the day. Susie's pride was in her family, and each success they celebrated was one she cherished. Susie's memory will remain with each family member, and her qualities will forever continue to shine through them.
In 2019, Susie was able to live out her dream of visiting Alaska when she and Harold were invited to join their son Andy's family vacation. Harold and Susie climbed aboard a cruise ship and enjoyed a weeklong adventure, taking in the scenery, fishing excursions and fun family entertainment.
In 2022, Susie and Harold sold the family acreage and settled into their dream home in Denison. Their entire family supported this new chapter and were actively involved every step of the way.
In her 77 years, Susie was a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and dear friend to many. She is survived by her loving husband, Harold Olsen, and devoted children, Elizabeth (Tom) McLaughlin, Christopher (Beatrice) Olsen, Eric (Darla) Olsen, Andrew (Laurel) Olsen, and Laura (Scott) Rogge. Susie and Harold were also blessed with many grandchildren: Timothy (Elizabeth) Hovick and Haleigh (Tyler) Hochstetler, Alyssa and Kara Sloane, Martin Olsen, Muriel McLaughlin, Ethan, Grant and Claire Olsen, and great-grandchildren Lucy and Allison Hovick (Tim), and Ezekiel Olsen and Oliver Hochstetler (Haleigh).
Susie is preceded in death by her parents, Martin Roeh and Elizabeth (Servoss) Roeh and parents-in-law Leroy and Berna Olsen.
Mass of Christian Burial for Susie will be December 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. Visitation will occur in the church lobby prior to mass from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Interment will follow at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery and lunch at the church's parish center.
Susie's service will be livestreamed and recorded via www.PauleyJones.com
Thank you for your smiles, your tears, your laughter, your hugs, and all the prayers you shared with us. We count ourselves truly blessed. Harold Olsen and Family.
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