Mary Lou Olsen

Mary Lou L. Gerschefske Olsen, age 85, of Denison, IA, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2020. Mary Lou was born on October 11, 1934, the daughter of Rudolph H. and Hattie E. (Troike) Gerschefske, in Malta Bend, Saline County, MO.

Mary Lou was 12 or 13 years old when they moved to a farm north of Alta, IA. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1952. After high school, Mary Lou worked at Swallum’s Hospital in Storm lake, IA for several years. She met Earl Olsen of Schaller, IA, while skating at the Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. They were blessed with five children: Ray, Kristy, Bonnie, Lisa and Jennifer.
Mary Lou worked as a CNA for the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison for approximately 30 years where she assisted in bringing many babies into the world.

Mary Lou was active in the community as a member of several card clubs, community plays, church choirs and square dancing, but her family was her pride and joy.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Hattie Gerschefske; her brothers, Raymond Gerschefske of Grandview, MO, and Randolph Gerschefske of Fort Worth, TX; her husband, Earl Olsen. Those left to cherish her memory are her brother, Earl Wayne Gerschefske of Dunlap, IA; her five children: Ray and Dixie Olsen of Indianola, IA, Kristy and Duane Zenk of Denison, IA, Bonnie and Greg Kastner of Temecula, CA, Lisa and John Langholtz of Denison, IA and Jennifer and John Torres of Indianola, IA; thirteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces, nephews and friends.