Louise Olson

Another lovely memory that comes is being in awe as I watched my Uncle Howie and Aunt Louise swim across the lake together at my parents' cottage in Quebec. My mom often speaks of how her twin sister was completely smitten with my Uncle Howie and how Howie was completely smitten with my Aunt  Louise. Looking at the collection that Tim has posted, there are so many images of the love that they shared.

Some of my clearest memories of my Aunt Louise relate to her voice. I will never forget hearing her read at my Dad's memorial service. Her voice was filled with passion and strength. I think everyone present was riveted by the power with which she spoke. And she could also speak with such tenderness. Throughout my life, in the most gentle tone, she called me 'Annie'. It is this balance of strength and tenderness that comes to mind when I think of this very special woman. She leaves an indelible mark on my life. It brings me peace knowing she died with love and support.

To see this album you need to be friends with Timothy Olson (son of Louise) on FB. 

https://www.facebook.com/timothy.olson.79/media_set?set=a.112639695461500.17910.100001464100879&type=3

If you would like to share information about the photos - please do in the comments section on FB.
 

Dear Linda and family,

My husband Gene Anderson and I knew your mother, Louise, in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when we served as missionaries at Iambi Leprosy Hospital for two years where Gene had the non-medical responsibilities for the institution.  Then we spent two years at Kinampanda, both of us teaching at the new secondary school.  We returned home on furlough for a year and then went back to Kinampanda in 1972.  We had adopted our oldest son, Zachary, and given birth to our second son, Lincoln.  Our youngest son, Lincoln, became very ill and I headed out for the hospital near Arusha with Elder and Renee Jackson in their Land Rover.  There was mechanical trouble with the vehicle and our son died before we could reach the doctors and hospital.

Louise was a great support for me as I returned to Kinampanda with our son’s body, flying in a plane with several other women.  Our son, Lincoln Eugene Anderson, is buried at Kinampanda with several other others from mission families.  Now your mother will join them.  Bless you as you complete this journey.

Grandma and Grandpa Anderson ("GNA" to the adults) were part of my growing-up years in the Singida area, TZ.   Then Auntie Lou and Uncle Howie: I always thought they were such a beautiful couple, inside and out.  When my mother, Twilah, passed away in 1951, Dad (Ruben) was left with three small girls (one almost 8, 3, and 1 1/2).   Auntie Lou and Uncle Howie were there to support him and help with the trip back to the US.    Through the years their influence has remained with our family, examples of love, concern, constancy and caring.    Much later I came to appreciate all the pioneering work they did together in the field of music and Uncle Howie gave me some of his books of collected and composed works during a visit (with Chris Nelson) to their home in Florida.  Precious memories!
Auntie Lou: Lovely, gracious, sweet and kind, talented and such a strong witness to how the Lord can shine through a person.   Thank-you, Auntie Lou.    Love,  Marlyce

Aunt Louise was so faithful in remembering my special days with loving cards and handwritten notes.  She would often call just to see how things were going and share her special times with me.  We often reminisced about our time on the mission field with my grandparents (Louise's parents) George and Annette and my parents (Louise's brother) Paul and Joyce.  She helped me get through my father's last days by reminding me of God's unrelenting love and mercy.  Louise was love personified and I am so grateful that she was my aunt.  Sending angel wings to surround her family and remind them of her love for them.

My condolences, as feelings of pain and bitterness become unbearable. It is my desire to convey a comforting thought based on the Holy Scriptures

          

  John 5:28 "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."

 

 

This passage speaks of the resurrection of our loved ones. It is not God's plan to see us suffer and die, so He extends the following invitation to us: "Come near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8)

 

Please go to the following link to obtain more information regarding the Hope expressed in this passage and again we are sorry for your loss.

 

 http://www.jw.org

To share special memories of Louise would fill a book, but I do want to say that when my late husband, Rev. David Henry, and I arrived as the youngest of all the missionaries on the field back in 1952 (I had just turned 21) Louise said she understood my excitement and hesitancy as she had been so young too when first coming with Howie to Tanzania.  She kept tab on me and counseled often as we all served in Turuland.  One great memory is Dave and I  having the honor of singing as a quartet with Howie and Lou at Isuna one Sunday and later at our missionary conference.  Louise also encouraged me in playing our pump organ at Sepuka as I was so impressed by her and Howie's musical gifts.  Now I just finished reading Howie's memoirs of FOOTPRINTS  where I saw so much more of their mission work, their personal love for each other and their children, and their giving of all their gifts from God back to Him in service.  They blessed everyone who knew them, and God's choir now has two more voices praising Him.  Thanks be to God for their example and ministry to all who knew them.  With love and gratitude,  Bev Henry Wessman

To see this album you need to be friends with Timothy Olson (son of Louise) on FB. 

https://www.facebook.com/timothy.olson.79/media_set?set=a.112639695461500.17910.100001464100879&type=3

If you would like to share information about the photos - please do in the comments section on FB.
 

I'm thinking a lot about "Aunt" Louise from across town in Arusha. Though we lived 20 miles away at the other seminary in the area, we felt like extended family. I remember many, many days at Makumira with the Olson family and Aunt Louise's gracious hospitality. I treature the friendships that we had many decades ago as though they were recent. Blessings and peace to the whole Olson family.