Barbara Jean Olson

Barbara Jean Olson

June 6, 1942 – November 20, 2024

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024 surrounded by her daughters, Barb gained her wings.

Barb made it to the age of 82 and lived every minute to the fullest. The last few years were a struggle for her as her mobility decreased but she was still sharp in her mind. Barb lived for her girls, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. There was never a minute that she wasn’t thinking about what to get everyone for Christmas. She was an avid QVC shopper and always liked a good bargain, and being that Christmas was her favorite holiday, she always did it up big. However, nothing could ever compare to her “Irish heritage” coming out on St Patrick’s Day…the 2nd most important day of the year. The wearing of the green and drinking of the beer was always on the plan for the day as well as a huge amount of corned beef and cabbage to be had after all the bar hopping shenanigans.

Barb graduated from Central Catholic High School, during that time she met her high school sweetheart Gary, who she married and spent the next 58 years with until his death in 2020. They had 4 daughters together.

Barb worked for Ohio Bell in her early years, then became a stay at home mom and housewife. Once the girls were grown and on their own, she went to work at Target. She loved working at Target because she had the first choice of all the deals. She was also a huge fan of Loma Lindas and their margaritas. If there was a celebration to be had or an out-of-town guest visiting…they went to Lomas. She was a lifetime member of St Patrick of Heatherdowns Parish. Back when she sent the girls to school there, she was very proud of being one of the founding members of the St Pats Mothers Club. She also enjoyed bowling on her Thursday morning league while the girls were in school. However, nothing was more beloved than her yearly trips to St Pete Beach. Barb and Gary vacationed to St Pete on their honeymoon and then every year after. St Pete was their place, where they made many friends over the years. The girls still carry on the tradition and head to St Pete every summer to continue the memories.

Barb was all about family. She enjoyed having everyone come over and fill the house with noise and chaos. She however was not the cook of the house, her husband Gary did most of the cooking for the Sunday dinners and family gatherings. After Gary passed in 2020 the family still had the gatherings but her girls took over the cooking. In 2014 it was decided that they needed a dog and that’s where Murphy stepped into their lives. Murphy was Barb’s dedicated companion and he stayed by her side until her last breath on earth.

Barb loved having company over, sitting outside on the patio table enjoying a cold beer. She enjoyed life. She will be deeply missed by her family as life will not be the same without her. Her daughters take comfort in knowing that she is at peace and finally reunited with their dad and sister Jenny. She is survived by her daughters: Julie Wonser, Kristy (Doug) Kolacki, Karrie (Nick) Metzger. Grandchildren: Alexis (Chance) Rose, Josh Wonser, Meghan (Kirk) Mitchell, Chelsea (Chris) Dybala, Zach Kolacki, Erinn (Joe) Shively, Katie (Tommy) Vanderhorst, Courtney (Adam) Barker, Chris Metzger, Andy (Lindsey) Lange, Chad (Miranda) Lange, Jayme Lange and Great Grandchildren: Elyse, Amelia, Maximus, Lucy, Ivy, Wyatt, Dolly, Kamden, Kason, Jack, Charlotte, Finnigan, Theodora and Mabel. Also Barb is survived by her sisters Judy Klippstein and Nancy (Ed) Perry and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis & Mabel Borer, Brother Curtis (Skeeter), husband Gary and oldest daughter Jenny Lange.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 2-8 PM at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave., where Prayers will be recited at 7 PM. A Mass for Barb will be held on Monday, December 2nd at St Patrick of Heatherdowns Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd. at 11 AM. The family asks that friends gather at the church. Final disposition will be private for the family.

The family would like to say a very special Thank You to mom’s caregiver Renee Banks. Renee was with mom everyday and helped mom and us more than she could ever know. Thank you, Renee, for being mom’s angel on earth. The family would also like to thank the staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. The commitment and compassion to mom as well as all of us is deeply appreciated.

In leiu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or The Toledo Humane Society.