Doris L. Olson

Doris L. Olson, 93, of Lincoln died Monday, January 21, 2008 at Bryan-LGH East Medical Center.

The Rosary was recited at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 24, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lincoln.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 26, 2008 from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Red Cloud with Rev. Mel Rempe, celebrant. Interment with military graveside honors was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Mrs. Olson was born December 18, 1914 in Smith County, Kansas. She graduated from the Lebanon, Kansas High School in 1932, and from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1941 with a degree in Nursing. From 1942-1946 she served as a nurse in the US Army with the 77th Evacuation Hospital, stationed in the European and North African Theatres of Operations. She was honorably discharged as a captain in 1946. Following her service, she was the Director of the Obstetrics Unit at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She then worked for a physician's office in Kansas City from 1947-1948. In 1948, she moved to Red Cloud, Nebraska where she was employed as the Director of Nursing at the Maynard Hospital from 1948-1951.

She married William H. Olson on September 22, 1951. He preceded her in death on December 18, 1961. She then resumed her nursing career and was the Director of Nursing at the Webster County Community Hospital (WCCH) in Red Cloud until retiring in 1980.

She served on the Board of Trustees of the WCCH; she was a member of the Sidlo Post #5641 V.F.W. Post; American Legion Post and Auxiliary. She served in many officer capacities for these organizations. Mrs. Olson also organized the Webster County Bloodmobile; volunteered with the Webster County Historical Society; was a member of the Webster County Extension Club; was a past leader of 4-H and Cub Scouts; and a communicant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Altar Society. She was a charter member of Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. After moving to Lincoln in 2003, she became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mrs. Olson recently received the Freedom Award from the Secretary of the US Army.

Preceding her in death were her husband; parents John and Clara Steiner; sister Pauline Sims; brother and sister-in-law John and Ann Steiner; and brother-in-law Norman Terrill.

Surviving are a daughter Mary Silvey and husband Kevin of Lincoln, Nebraska; sons: Dr. David Olson and wife Deborah of Kingwood, Texas; and Kenneth Olson of Chicago, Illinois; 7 grandchildren: Joseph, Jared and Jessica Silvey; Brandi, Brooke, Benjamin and Brett Olson; a sister, Ruth Terrill of Hutchinson, Kansas; brother, Robert Steiner and wife Kathleen of Manhattan, Kansas; brother-in-law Calvert Sims of Hutchinson, Kansas; 21 nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.

Memorials are suggested to:
The Webster County Community Hospital Nurses Scholarship Fund
or
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Williams Funeral Home
Red Cloud, Nebraska
402-746-2500