Sylvia L Olson

Obituary: Published in the Tri-City Herald on August 9, 2019

Sylvia Lucille (Hoffmockel) Olson was called to her heavenly home on August 5, 2019.

Sylvia was born June 22, 1923 in Corcoran, MN to Paul Edward Hoffmockel and Georgiana Marian Martineau. Sylvia was the youngest of six children. Early in her childhood, her parents moved to Minneapolis, MN. After graduation from High School, Sylvia spent a short time working in Washington, DC where she met and fell in love with a young man, Joseph Raymond Norris. Sylvia moved back to Minneapolis in 1944, where their son, Paul Raymond Norris was born, and she raised him with the help of her family, as being a single mother was no easy task, especially in those years. Sylvia worked in a variety of jobs through their years in Minneapolis, in the capacity of bookkeeper, accountant, receptionist, secretary. She was excellent at keeping books, and making sure everything was in order. On August 15, 1959, Sylvia married Winn H. Olson, Sr. (“Herb”) a widower with three daughters, Betty, Nancy and Jennifer, relocating to Seattle, WA. Winn formally adopted Paul after their marriage. In 1961, Sylvia and Winn welcomed a son, Winn H. Olson, Jr. into their growing family. From the time of her marriage, Sylvia no longer worked outside of the home, her duties to her family came first and foremost. In 1970, Sylvia, Winn, Sr., Jennifer and Winn, Jr. relocated to Pasco, WA as Winn’s work transferred him to the Pasco Airport. Sylvia and her family became members of Lutheran Church of the Master, Pasco. Again, Mom found fulfillment in keeping church books, being secretary of the Women’s Group, a member of Bible Study Circle, involved in church choir, taking piano lessons from the Pastor’s wife and counting offering money after church services for many years. She lived in her own home until 2016, when she moved into Fieldstone Memory Care, Kennewick, WA. Mom enjoyed her children, grandchildren, going camping in their motorhome with her sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Russ, taking a variety of trips together with them to Disney Land, Lake Powell, the World Fair, British Columbia, to North Dakota and Minneapolis to visit family.

Mom was thoughtful, pragmatic, and a woman of great faith. Her faith carried her through the hardships of life, of heartbreaking loss. She was an example to all who knew her. She did her best raising her children, earning their love and respect. We may have been a “blended” family, but to Mom that didn’t matter, and she would become upset if anyone referred to our family as “his-hers-ours”. She stated: “You are all my kids, and I love you equally.”

Sylvia is survived by her children, Betty Hunt, Hazen, ND; Nancy (Greg) Larson, Seattle, WA; Jennifer (Walt) Wolff, Hazen, ND; Winn (Debra) Olson, Jr., Kennewick, WA. Grandchildren, Brent Olson, Everett, WA; Karl (Wendy) Wolff, Grand Forks, ND; Steven (Carrie) Wolff, Bismarck, ND; Daniel (Gaby) Wolff, Spearfish, SD; Allen Olson, Rebecca Olson, Spokane, WA; Kyle (Melissa) Scott, Seattle, WA; and seven great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Winn H. Olson, Sr; her son, Paul R. Olson, her grandson Bryan Wesley Olson; sisters Bertha Emelie (Einer) Peterson; Bernice Ella (Russell) Winn, Florence Irene Hoffmockel and two infant brothers, Paul Herman, Jr., and Albert Conrad.

Mom, you gave us all of yourself, you were a wonderful example of Mother and Grandmother, and we shall all miss you greatly. Rest in Jesus’ arms, and we know we shall all see you once again. Today we shed tears of sorrow, but in the future shall be tears of joy when we reunite with you once again.

Visitation August 13, 2019 12:00 pm, Funeral 1:00 pm at Columbia Memorial Chapel, Pasco, WA; Reception to follow service at Richland Lutheran Church.

Death Notice: Published in the Tri-City Herald on August 7, 2019

Sylvia L. Olson, 96, died Aug. 5 at home in Kennewick.

She was born in Corcoran, Minn., and lived in Pasco for 49 years.

She was a homemaker.

Columbia Memorial Funeral Chapel, Pasco, is in charge of arrangements.

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