Mary Anne Olson

Mary Anne Olson, 72, died on Thursday, May 23, 2024, surrounded by family.

She was born on July 28, 1951, in Kankakee, IL, the daughter of Herbert and Anne (Trainor) Frake. She married Richard “Buffalo” Olson on April 12, 1975, in Ohio, IL. He preceded her in death on March 25, 1986.

She is survived by one daughter, Anne Marie (Kenny Lauritzen) of Walnut; one grandchild, Brandon (Jennifer Linley) Lauritzen of Walnut; two sisters, Lori (Bill) Lamping of Clifton, and Lisa Frooninckx of West Lafayette, IN; two brothers, Herb (Karie) Frake Jr. of Clifton, and Tom (Lana) Frake of Peoria; one brother-in-law, Gerald (Rhonda) Olson; sisters-in-law, Deb Fonder and Norine (Jeff) Townsend; many nephews and nieces; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and her puppies, Star and Suki.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her mother, Marilyn Frake; one sister, Mary Lou O’Brien; one brother, Arthur Michael, in infancy; and a very special godson, Spencer Giles.

In January 1973, Mary Anne was the first special education teacher hired by Walnut Grade School, and the first in Bureau County. She not only had to teach the students with learning disabilities but also educate the staff on what a learning disability was. She often said a student’s LD label stood for “learns differently.”

She continued her education, receiving her Master’s degree and taking classes to stay updated on the latest research in child development. She was a gifted teacher who built bonds and trust with her students, always ready to supply a hug to any student who needed one. Many of her students became lifelong friends. Mary Anne continued to tutor students until March of this year.

Mary Anne loved to travel. She visited all 50 United States and was on her second round. She always met people she knew or found new friendships along the way. Hawaii and Maine were her favorite places to visit. Mary Anne was very patriotic, trying to visit all of the presidential homes. She loved the holidays and looked forward to her trips to see the Zoolights every year.

Family was important to her. She would make time to visit as many as possible whenever she could. Mary Anne was a master shopper, finding just the right gifts for all of her family and friends. She will be remembered for her $2 bills. She had many godchildren who meant the world to her.

Mary Anne knew no strangers. She was still friends with her grade school and high school classmates. She took many trips with college friends, including to the Kentucky Derby where Secretariat won. She became close friends with many of her teaching colleagues. She collected friends everywhere she went. She shared her shopping and traveling tips with all of her friends, family, and anyone she talked to. She was a wonderful mom and a very special lady to many!

Her biggest hope for everyone she knew is that they go and ENJOY LIFE!!! :-)

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 10 AM - 11:45 AM at Garland Funeral Home of Walnut. The Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12 PM at Saint John the Evangelist’s Catholic Church of Walnut following the visitation at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established.

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