EUGENE E. ‘JIM’ OLSEN Aug. 28, 2022
Jim Olsen’s ninety-five years were remarkable – active, involved, and punctuated with wonderful friendships. He was kind, respectful, honest, quick with a smile, had a great sense of humor, he was always willing to help others and loved sharing a good story.
Born and raised in Frankfort, Michigan, he was happiest outdoors and reveled in the changes of the seasons and for the new opportunities each change brought – skiing, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, and sitting by the fire with friends and family.
Living in Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project for several years Jim fell in love with the mountains and sunshine of New Mexico. After time in the service at the end of WWII and attending Michigan State University – becoming a devoted Spartans fan, Jim returned to Los Alamos and again, fell in love – with Barbara Bogaard. Barbara and their daughters Betsy and Kay were the beneficiaries of Jim’s love, unwavering encouragement and support, energy, hard work, and sense of fun.
Jim’s greatest delight was a day on Pajarito Mountain – spring, summer, and fall – he could be found wielding a chain saw, while winter weekends were spent relishing the abundance of snowfall and sunshine and enjoying the payoff for the countless hours working to prepare for the ski season. Skiing was a family event and lunch, prepared and packed by Jim, was always shared on the lodge deck with friends.
Crystal Lake in Michigan was the setting for family vacations and eventually retirement with Barbara. Pulling water skiers, fishing, cruising on his trawler “Bodacious”, walking the beach, throwing horseshoes, and enjoying smoked fish and chubs, Jim never had a bad day at the lake.
Jim and Barb were great travelers and enjoyed many wonderful adventures, but in all truth, nothing gave him more joy than being with his granddaughters and seeing Addy and Ellen grow into beautiful, engaging, and interested people. Jim was Addy’s and Ellen’s biggest fan, supporting their dreams, cheering on their endeavors, and savoring their achievements. His eyes lit up when they were with him, and he loved every minute of being their “Captain”.
August 28, 2022 just before sunset, Jim passed from this world with family by his side. He joins his wife Barbara and his daughter, Betsy Olsen Savarese and together they are lovingly remembering their earthly adventures and treasured friendships. Jim is dearly missed by daughter, Kay Olsen Brown, her husband Barry, granddaughters Addison Olsen Brown and Ellen Olsen Savarese, son-in law David Savarese, sisters Edie Ho and Karen Jencks, nieces and nephews and their families.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jim to the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail, PO Box 474, Beulah, MI 49617 or online at https://betsievalleytrail.org/donate – Please designate your donation to the William R. Olsen Endowment in memory of Jim Olsen.
Eugene E. ‘Jim’ Olsen. Courtesy photo
