Bonnie A. Olson passed away peacefully at home June 14, 2018, in Laguna Niguel, Calif., where she had lived for the past several years to be near her youngest daughter, Krista and for access to specialized treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Bonnie was born in the “apple country” of Wenatchee, Wash., Feb. 14, 1937, a Valentine gift to her parents, Raymond R. Smith and B. Irene Smith. She was the eldest of three sisters and grew up on a small ranch in east Wenatchee. She was proficient in piano and received scholarships to Central Washington University and the University of Washington. Bonnie graduated from the University of Washington in 1958, with a combined degree in music and elementary education.
In September of 1958, she married Ralph E. Olson, whom she had dated since high school. Before starting a family, she taught in the Issaquah, Olympia and Centralia public schools. She loved the primary grades, where she could teach art and music, as well as general curriculum. Bonnie also enjoyed teaching Sunday school classes for many years.
Bonnie and Ralph had two girls, Karan Meilhan who works for CNN in Atlanta, Ga., and Krista Olson-Verdin, who is employed in the Aerospace industry in Southern California. She claimed her best job was to be a home maker and mother.
Her interests outside the home included helping Asian refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia settle in our community, as well as supporting the arts. She established the Centralia Arts-In-School program and helped organize the annual Arts Jamboree for many years.
Bonnie sang in church choirs for more than 50 years, and hosted Maestro Milton Katims, Concert Master Henry Siegl and Songstress Marni Nixon when the Seattle Symphony performed in Lewis County. She was a member of PEO, The Best Book Club of Lewis County (BBC) and was active in many other civic activities, including serving more than 40 years on the Lewis County Community Concert Board.
Bonnie loved the adventure of experiencing different cultures and enjoyed trips to Asia and Europe, as well as many locations in the states.
She was a member of South Shores Church in Dana Point, Calif., at the time of her passing. Bonnie was a devout Christian and treated Jesus both as her savior and friend. A favorite past time was teaching English from the Bible to an extended Laotian family that had settled in the area.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph Olson; daughters, Karan (Pierre) Meilhan and Krista (Vince) Olson-Verdin; very special granddaughter, Sophie Meilhan; and sisters, Beverly Coleman and Bennis Johnson.
Services will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Bethel Church, Chehalis, Wash., at 2 p.m. Reception to follow.
Remembrances may be made to Centralia College, Cottey College, The Salvation Army or Pancreatic Cancer Treatment and Research.
