Dorothy (Dottie) Louise Olson

Memorial services for Dorothy (Dottie) Louise Olson, 80, Lawrence, will be Saturday, June 27, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church.

She died Friday, June 12, 2015, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook, KS.

Dottie was born November 28, 1934, in Lawrence, KS, the daughter of Lewis Alonzo Goodrick and Dorothy Gertrude Perkins Goodrick Kasky. She was one of four generations of Lawrence residents. Dottie graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1953. Then later studied at the University of Kansas and had worked up to her senior year on a degree in Child Development. After graduating from high school she worked part time in her father’s restaurant ‘Duck’s Seafood’ that was located on Vermont Street in downtown Lawrence. She also worked part time at the KU Library while attending KU and remembers the brutal walk up and down the hill to campus.

Dorothy was an avid volunteer. She worked many years at Lawrence Memorial Hospital with the Escort Service, and she was a team member in delivering Meals on Wheels. A terrific homemaker, Dorothy hosted many family gatherings and enjoyed jumping in the car and going for a ride…..and on those rides there was always a destination to a family or friends home. She acquired this spontaneous timing from her mother, Dorothy. Both Ken and Dottie had a great sense of humor and always knew how to “break the ice” and get conversations flowing. Dorothy worked part time for the School District as a lunch aid for approximately five years and she also worked part time for Sears with telephone orders.

Dorothy enjoyed her role as grandmother and was a grand one to boot! Her four grandsons enjoyed her antics and competitiveness. Her drive to get out there and try something new was always fun for the boys. We were blessed to have her.

She married Kenneth Allen Olson on June 6, 1957, after he returned from the Navy and raised their family in Lawrence. Dottie and her husband enjoyed range shooting in high school and were part of the rifle team. Dottie also enjoyed being outside near her home on the south side of South park and remembers attending baseball games when the field was in the downtown area and the park that is still there today.

Ken preceded her in death May 8, 2011, they had been married for over 50 years. She was also preceded in death by her infant brother Osborne Frank in 1937, a son-in-law Clay Kappelman, 2009.

Survivors include a son, Eric Allen Olson, Phoenix, AZ; daughter, Brenda Lee Kappelman; four grandsons, Colin Olson Kappelman, Nolan Paul Kappelman, Derek Marshall Thayer Kappelman, and Nathan Brent Kappelman, all of Lawrence.

Friends may visit Friday from noon to 8 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6-7:30 pm.

The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, Meals on Wheels, or Trinity Lutheran Church, Sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.