Edward and Mary Olsson

Edward Cannon Olsson

Edward Cannon Olsson passed away peacefully October 31, 2020.  He was born January 10, 1921 in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of Edward Nathaniel and Mary Winona (Cannon) Olsson.  Ed graduated from Paseo High School and Kansas City University. He married Mary Ellen Stewart December 27, 1941.  Shortly thereafter, he entered the Army as a cadet in the Army Air Corps. He trained pilots, gunners, and navigators. Mary joined him in many places he served because they were all in the US.

After the war, Ed and Mary moved back to the Kansas City area and returned to worship at Country Club United Methodist Church.  With three other couples, they formed a Sunday School class which grew over the years to over 130 people. He worked in the cattle business as a cattle buyer.

In 1970 Ed and Mary moved to Geneseo, Illinois where Ed helped open a new beef packing company. He was involved in every aspect of the business and was primarily in charge of cattle buying.  In Illinois, Ed enjoyed new friends, cross country skiing, tennis, boating, and many more grandchildren. He continued pursuing his other interests: church and civic activities, parties, singing in the choir, dancing, listening to music, playing cards, golfing and any sport except bowling.

On returning to Kansas City in 1990, he resumed leadership, worship, and activities at Country Club United Methodist Church. Ed loved traveling nationally and internationally, guided, unguided or with Elder Hostel. The golf tour of Scotland was probably his favorite trip.  In retirement he also loved reading, golf, and lunches with the ROMEOs.

Ed was predeceased by Mary by 7 days. He did not want to live without her.  Ed leaves four children: Tom (Ann) Olsson, Jan (Keith) Stanley, Dick (Julie) Olsson, Bev (Herb) Hess and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. We will miss his sweet, funny, loving presence. We will also miss his guidance and his voice.

The family thanks the staff of Kingswood Health Center and Ascend Hospice for all their loving care and attention.  Services will be at a later time. Memorial donations for Ed are suggested to organizations supporting education or the charity of your choice.

Mary Ellen Stewart Olsson

Mary Ellen Olsson passed away peacefully on October 24, 2020. She was born May 25, 1920 in Ft. Morgan, Colorado, the first child of Clare and Miriam Stewart. The family moved often as Mary was growing up. In 1937 they settled in the Kansas City area. Mary graduated from Kansas City University with a degree in Spanish. While a student there, she met her husband, Edward Olsson. Their marriage of almost 79 years was an incredible partnership of love and service to others.

Mary was a positive influence in the lives of her children and in her community. She was actively volunteering, organizing, socializing and hosting, with interests in church,  PTA, scouts, AFS,  politics, and education. She was a docent at the Nelson Art Gallery and took friends, visitors, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for tours of the gallery.

In 1970 Mary and Ed moved to Geneseo, Illinois. She added grandchildren, traveling, and cross-country skiing to her activities.  She also began painting for which her entire family is grateful as her paintings are treasured by many family members. In 1990 Mary and Ed moved back to the Kansas City area. They resumed their work and leadership at Country Club United Methodist Church and enjoyed being with their Kansas City friends again as well as hosting many of their Illinois friends on visits.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and her siblings Joseph, Margaret, and Clare. Mary leaves her beloved husband, Ed; four children, Tom (Ann) Olsson, Jan (Keith) Stanley, Dick (Julie) Olsson, and Bev (Herb) Hess, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will miss her sweet, sunny, welcoming, loving presence.

The family thanks the staff of Kingswood Health Center for their loving care  and to the Ascend Hospice Staff for their care in her final days. Services will be at a later date. Memorial donations in memory of Mary are suggested to Della Lamb (dellalamb.org) or an organization of your choice.