Gwendolyn Sue Olson

Gwendolyn Sue Olson died at the age of 60 on Sunday, March 10, at Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville, Wash.

She was born on July 15, 1952, to Wesley and Lilla Halbert in Roswell, N.M. The family moved to Minot, N.D., where she was raised and graduated high school.

She moved to Boise, Idaho in her early 20s, where she reunited with Marc Olson, from Minot.

There, they fell in love and were married in 1974. They have journeyed through life as partners ever since.

The couple set up life in Great Falls, Mont., where they had Luke and Kerry. They worked in the Montana beauty industry for many years. In 1996, they moved to Kettle Falls where they ran Olson Orchard for five years.

They also started the fashion company Sunriver Specialties, which Marc still operates.

She worked hard and made sure their home was filled with joy, laughter and wonderful memories.

To her, family was always the most important thing. She loved to hike, hunt, fish, travel with Marc and spend time with family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Marc, of Kettle Falls, Wash .; son, Luke (Marti) Olson of Spokane; daughter, Kerry (Jae) Ok of Seattle; sister, Silvia Haugeberg of Minot; and four granddaughters, Maliya, Livi, Nora and Penelope.

A celebration of life is to be held in Kettle Falls on April 27.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in her honor, to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF.org) in honor of her granddaughter Maliya.

Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory of Colville is entrusted with the arrangements. An online memorial guestbook is available at http://www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.