Fern Elaine Olson

Fern Elaine Olson, 99 years young and a lifetime resident of Elgin, IL, peacefully passed on to be with her Lord on July 26, 2022.  She was born May 2, 1923 in Elgin, IL to her loving parents, Clifford and Lillian (née Quade) Olson.

Fern's grandparents helped raise her when her parents divorced when she was three years old.  She saw her grandfather lose everything during the stock market crash of 1929, and she vowed that she would never let that happen to her.

Fern graduated from Elgin High School, Class of 1941.  At age 17, she landed a job at an insurance agency in downtown Elgin.  She was determined to make her own way in the world, not relying on someone else to take care of her.  She worked hard and eventually owned that insurance agency.  She was definitely ahead of her time, a strong woman business owner in a male-dominated field in the 1960's.  She continued to work until finally retiring at age 70.

Fern was a member of the Methodist Church of Elgin.  She had a positive attitude, and always had something nice to say.  She took care of herself, including weekly beauty salon appointments, and also cared for her family when the need arose.  She cared for her mother who lived to age 100, and also her Aunt Verna who lived a long life, as well.  She doted on her nieces and nephews, and treated them as if they were her own children.

Fern liked to keep active, enjoying ice skating at Lord's Park, rolling skating, and bowling.  She was an long-time bowling league member, and was quite good, winning first place at a league tournament in 1973.

Fern was preceded in death by her grandparents; loving parents, Clifford and Lillian Olson; brother, Ronald Olson; aunt, Verna Quade; and loving companion of many years, Richard Siemer.

She is survived by her nieces, Penny (Tom) Sowers, Bonnie Mundinger, and Dawn (Rich) Wigstone; nephews, Brett (Kim) Olson and Randy (Carol Adams) Olson; and sister-in-law, Darlene (née Purkey) Dubis.

Visitation will be 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Friday, August 5, 2022 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120.

Mourners are encouraged to review the funeral home COVID-19 public health policies ahead of time.

Visitation will continue from 10:00am until funeral service at 11:00am, Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120.  Michael Murschel will be officiating.

Interment to follow at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Boulevard, Elgin, IL 60120.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home.  For more information, call 847-741-1128 or visit www.symondsmadison.com.

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