Kathleen Grace Olson
Born: August 16, 1950

Transition to Breathing New Air: August 8, 2023

Kathleen (Kay) Wright was born in Vinton, Iowa.
Her Dad (William Wright) was from Iowa and her mother (Grace Meyer)
was from Chicago. They met while attending Bethel College in St. Paul,
Minnesota. They had two children – Kay and Gary.
Bill Wright was a Navy Chaplain. Regular family moves occurred for Kay
and Gary while growing up including living in Minnesota, Illinois, North
Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, the Philippines, California, Rhode
Island, and Florida. Kay's Dad also served in Vietnam.
Kay attended Bethel College. Her Dad had retired from the Navy and her
folks were living in Florida. Kay lived with her parents and worked at
Barnett Bank.
Through a unique series of events, her Dad accepted an Associate Pastor
position at Immanuel Baptist Church located in Waukegan, Illinois. His
responsibilities included youth ministry. Kay also moved to Illinois, lived
with her parents and took a position working at Great Lakes Credit Union.
At that time, Ric Olson was serving as a part-time youth director with his
Dad (Pastor Howard Olson) at Fox Lake Baptist Church.
Ric met Kay at a youth event involving area churches where both church
youth groups were attending and participating. Kay was helping out taking
tickets for the event.
Kay and Ric were married on June 15, 1974 at Immanuel Baptist Church in
Waukegan. Both Dads were the officiating Pastors.
Kay and Ric were blessed with two wonderful children (Erica and
Nathaniel). Their home base was in Lake County, Illinois from 1974 to
2017. In September of 2017 a move was made from Illinois to Minnesota.

In August of 2020, Kay was unexpectedly diagnosed with metastatic breast
cancer. She lived out her faith in Christ in beautiful, wonderful and
amazing ways during our 36 month journey with cancer. She suffered
greatly during this journey; yet her love for Jesus never wavered. During
her final hours of earthly life – after opportunities to see or connect with
family members had occurred – she focused on meeting Jesus face to
face.
In addition to various work experiences, Kay treasured time working in a
variety of volunteer roles including an adult day care center, leading Bible
studies, decorating the two churches Kay and Ric attended during their
days in Illinois including preparing one church's communion table with
visuals that complemented the message, involvement in worship teams,
church choirs and the Antioch Community Chorus annual presentation of
the Messiah, Awana leader and director of children's musicals and
ministries.
She is survived by her husband Richard (Ric), her mother (Grace Wright),
her brother Gary and his wife Lauren, her daughter Erica and her husband
Randal (Randy) and their four sons and her son Nathaniel and his wife
Julianne (Jules) and their daughter.
Ric and Kay were not only husband and wife, they were best friends and
partners in numerous ministry initiatives (both professional and volunteer)
through the years. She is greatly missed. Her love for Jesus, for her
husband, for her family and for living a life in love with Jesus will never be
forgotten by those who loved her, admired her and treasured her. Thank
you Lord for Kathleen (Kay) Grace Wright Olson.
See you later!
Contributions are now being received in Kay's honor at Bethel University.
If checks are sent to Bethel, the memo line should say "Kay Olson memorial gift" or "In honor of
Kay Olson". Checks can be sent to: Bethel University Advancement Office – 3900 Bethel Drive –
St. Paul, MN 55112.
Online gifts can be made at www.bethel.edu/give, select "Other" and in the comment box type
"Kay Olson memorial gift" or "In Honor of Kay Olson".