- Date Of Birth: September 17, 1933
- Date Of Death: April 20, 2020
- State: Arizona
Betty Kay Olson
September 9, 1933 ~ April 20, 2020
In the peacefulness of God’s presence, Betty Kay (Bell) Olson, 86, passed on to her heavenly home on Apr 20, 2020, leaving her “temporary” home, Via Elegante Assisted Living, in Hereford, AZ., where she had been a resident since July 2018.
Betty Kay was born September 17, 1933 in Sidney, Montana, to Adolph “Duff” and Emma (Quilling) Bell. As a child, she lived and attended schools in the Sidney area, graduating with the Sidney High School Class of 1951. After graduation, she worked locally for several years, including helping her mother manage the Wheel Inn, a small restaurant her family owned. She later enrolled in Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, to study home economics and art. It was there she met Phillip Olson.
Betty Kay worked at McClellan’s and McCrory’s department stores, in Sierra Vista, as manager of their snack bars. She was also a Stanley dealer in the area for 23 years.
Skilled in many areas, Betty was an artist. Working with oils, she created gifts. Their home was decorated with her original paintings. She made many creative crafts. She was also a chalk artist; illustrating stories, songs and scripture. As an expert seamstress/tailor, Betty created suits for her husband and beautiful outfits for herself, often coordinating. She did alterations and upholstering as well.
Betty enjoyed gardening, growing fruit trees and cultivating berries, the harvests of which she generously shared. Betty made many jams and jellies to sell and share. She liked to bake, and took pride and joy in sharing her famous fruitcake at Christmas with family and friends. The Olsons enjoyed entertaining in their home, especially for Sunday dinners. Betty and Phil enjoyed board games, and supported the Buena High School Basketball Team with their attendance.
Although Betty and Phil were not blessed with children of their own, they loved and took great interest in the children of others, especially those of their family and friends.
Betty Kay was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Phillip Olson, as well as her parents, and brothers Richard “Dick” Bell and Robert “Bob” Bell. Surviving her are three sisters-in-law Jena Bell (Garrison, ND), Joan Bell (Sidney, MT), and Eleanor Taggatz (Chanhassen, MN); a special cousin, Beverly “Babe” (George) Moerkerke (Paradise Valley, AZ); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
