Ruth J. Olsen / 1920-2009

Published 9:18 am Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Ruth J. Olsen, 89, of Fulkerson Road, Niles, died at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2009, at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, Saint Joseph, following a brief illness.

There will be no public services or visitation.

She was born on June 11, 1920, in Chicago, Ill. to Oscar O. Olsen and Josephine J. Zarobski Olsen.

She graduated from high school in Chicago and has lived in Niles since 1982.
She was employed at the Kawneer company for 37 years, retiring in 1982. She was a member of the Kawneer Retirees Luncheon Group.

She also volunteered for the former Berrien General Hospital, knitting items for the nursery.

She was an outstanding athlete, having won City of Niles golf championships in the 1960s and playing semi-pro softball with the women’s traveling leagues. She also enjoyed playing tennis and bowling in more recent years. Her interest in sports continued by watching games on television, especially the Cubs, the Bears and the Bulls.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Josephine Olsen; her brother, Oscar “Olie” Olsen and a niece, Beth Olsen.

Surviving family includes nephews, Michael (Norma) Olsen of Pinnacle, N.C. and Mark Olsen of Shelby, Ohio and friends who provided her care, Dan and Marianne Abair of Niles and their daughter, Shelley Abair.

Memorial contributions may be made to City of Niles Recreation or Special Olympics Area 17.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.