Phyllis Jean Olson

Phyllis Olson, 72, of Overland Park, KS passed away on November 27, 2023 with her family at her side. 

Phyllis was born to Pauline and Ernest and grew up with her four siblings in Iowa. After she graduated from high school, she went on to study music in college. She met Verne Olson in the marching band, and they married after Verne's graduation.

She worked as an audio transcriptionist and then spent a number of years as a secretary for a talent placement firm and an architect. Later she also worked as a phototypesetter. But the occupation on which she spent the most time, energy, and heart was as a loving wife and mother.

Phyllis was a natural mama to her children, Andrew and Rebecca. It didn’t take long before she decided nobody could raise her children better than she could. She was a Room Mother, a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and a lifetime member of the PTA. She was present for all of her children's activities, attending (and cheering the loudest at) soccer and baseball games, gymnastics meets, music performances, and football games (for the marching band, of course). Phyllis was a wonderful wife and mother, always pushing her family to be better versions of themselves and supporting them in anything they strove for.

In her free time, she also enjoyed participating in the Quilters’ Guild of Greater Kansas City and attending productions at the KC Repertory Theater with friends. She and Verne lived together in the same home for over three decades before moving to an active adult community. She became an integral part of that community, participating in many social events such as colored pencil drawing classes and almost nightly games of Rummikub.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister Judy and brother Roger. She is survived by her husband Verne, son Andrew and his wife, daughter Rebecca, grandson, sister Shirley, brother Ernie, and cat Lucy. She will be dearly missed.