Beatrice "Bea" Viola Olsen's Obituary
Racine - Beatrice “Bea” Viola Olsen, 84, passed away at her residence on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Bea was born on September 14, 1936, to the late Nathan and Viola (nee Kelbach) Eastman. Bea lived in Racine all of her life, graduating from Washington Park High School in 1955. On August 5, 1955, Bea was united in marriage to James “Jim” Olsen. They were married for 39 years until his passing on July 26, 1995.
Bea always said “age is an attitude” and demonstrated this by living a busy and active life. She brought a touch of humor wherever she went and made friends easily, whether she was skiing down a slope at Wilmot or taking her dog for a nightly walk. Bea faithfully attended Faithbridge Church. She leaves behind a loving family, numerous friends, and a lifetime of memories.
Bea, along with her husband Jim, was an active member of the Model A Ford Club and The National Ski Patrol where they made many lifelong friendships. Notably, Bea and her dear friend Gerrie Purtell received the N.S.P.S. Angel Pin for their dedication and service. She was also a member of the Ski-Noshans, a club that led to many family trips during their early years.
After Jim’s death, Bea became sole owner of their business, Cleland Custom Urethane Products in Kenosha. As the owner and CEO, Bea made it a priority to make the product safety cushioned throat application become an important product line for NASA Kennedy Space Center and the aviation industry.
After her retirement, Bea joyfully gave much of her time and unlimited energy to volunteering in the Racine community. She helped build the Franksville Kids Connection, specifically the bee-hive; Kids Cove; and several Habitat for Humanity projects throughout the years. It was not unusual to see her with a hammer to tear down or build up, whatever needed to be done. Bea helped with the soup kitchens and Thanksgiving meals, as well, often recruiting her grandchildren to help.
Bea was dedicated to her growing family and attended numerous plays, concerts, sporting events and celebrations to support her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grammy Bea was indeed their biggest fan! She enjoyed children of all ages and served as a Classroom Grandma.
Left to lovingly remember Bea are her children: Lori (Bob) Markovic, Betsy (Don) Danowski, Scott (Angie) Olsen, Amy (John) Fleming, and Jeffry (Jennie) Olsen; grandchildren: Sara (Marcus), Brian (Catherine), Shanna, Erin, Jessica, Nate (Nina), Evan (Mareeka), Greg, Caleb, Zoey, James, Josie, and Jaxson; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Janice Tomasik; sisters-in-law: Kim Olsen, Jan Olsen, and Joyce Eastman; and her best little buddy, Isaiah Lopez as well as many other relatives and friends.
Beatrice is predeceased by her husband, James; siblings: Robert Eastman, Wilbur Eastman, Beverly Christopherson; and brothers-in-law: Jerry Olsen, Roger Olsen, Russ Olsen, John Christopherson, and sister-in-law Kathleen Olsen.
A Celebration of Bea’s life will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. with John Fleming officiating. Family and friends are invited to visit at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Bea’s name to those she personally supported: Faithbridge Student Life, Down’s Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, or Children’s Hospital Herma Heart Center. Friends and family wishing to leave a condolence or share a memory to highlight Bea’s life journey are invited to do so at www.wilsonfuneralhomeinc.com.
The family extends a special thank you to Janis Barker and Laura Bernett for their special friendship with Bea over the years.
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