Joann Olson

JoAnn Olson, 78, originally of Gardner, Kansas, passed away Monday January 4, 2016, at her home in Paola. JoAnn (Harlow) was born December 31, 1937 and raised in Gardner, Kansas to Charles and Katherine (Litzen) Harlow, as well as nine siblings. She was married to former husband Olon H. Olson on May 7, 1955. They were proud parents of five loving children. Throughout her life she worked several positions with the Gardner School District early in her career so that she could spend more time with her children, later working in food service at local businesses. JoAnn was best known to her friends and family for being strong-willed, determined, and outspoken. She loved flower gardening, cooking family dinners, and was most famous for her pies and bread. Everyone was welcome for dinner and no one ever went home hungry. We will always remember how much she loved spending time with her family and spoiling her children and grandchildren. JoAnn was preceded in death by her mother Katherine; father Charles; brother Tom E. Harlow; sisters Juanita L. Austin, and Anona M. White; son Richard A. Olson; grandson Jason M. Furnish. She is survived by her brother Frank Harlow of Mound City, KS; sisters Grace Deets of Louisville, KY and Mary Brandt of Spring Hill, KS; son Olon J. Olson (Brenda) of Rantoul; daughters Janet Olson of Wellsville, KS, Dee Olson of Paola, KS, and Juanita Furnish of Paola; grandchildren Joseph Furnish (wife Kristen and children Rebecca, Jack and Mikayla), Joshua Furnish (wife Ashlei and daughter Hayleigh), Jessie Furnish, Kara Henkenseifken (husband Tom and children). Memorials to the Miami County Cancer Foundation. To share a memory of JoAnn or leave a condolence message for her family, please click the Share Memories tab.