Lola Olson

Lola Louise Timm Olson December 29, 1922-March 9, 2019 Lola Louise (Skidmore) Timm Olson, 96, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Avilla, Indiana. Louise was born on December 29, 1922 in Haskell, Oklahoma to Lola (Hall) and Clarence Skidmore. She joined a family which eventually included five brothers (Noel, Harold, William, Clarence Jr., and Kenneth) and two sisters (Wanda Sue and Kathryn). She graduated from Wolf High School in Snowmac, Oklahoma in 1940 where she was an outstanding athlete specializing in basketball skills. Upon the entrance of the United States into World War II, Louise relocated to La Porte, Indiana in 1942 to join her brother, Noel, where she worked at the Kingsbury Ammunition Plant inspecting fragmentation bombs. Louise met and married Clarence George Timm of La Porte on March 28, 1946 after his enlistment in the US Coast Guard and service in the South Pacific were concluded, and their union was blessed by one son, Terry Wayne, who was born in 1947. After Clarence's sudden death on February 3, 1961, Louise again entered the labor force, working with the leagues at the Thunderbird Bowling Alley in LaPorte in 1962 where she taught bowling and managed equipment while traveling with her bowling team to many National Bowling Tournaments throughout the United States. Louise married Herbert Iver Olson on June 11, 1971, and for the next ten years, the couple traveled extensively throughout the country while Herb was employed as a construction supervisor for the Red Lobster Corporation until his retirement in 1980. Maintaining her residence in La Porte, Louise continued her bowling career as she and her team placed thirteenth in the Class A Division of the Woman's Invitational Bowling Congress National Tournament in the seventies. Always a talented athlete, she also continued to mentor bowlers and to assist with the bowling leagues at Thunderbird Lanes, working even after Herb's death in 1999 until her own retirement in 2007 at the age of 85. In recognition of her bowling expertise, Louise was inducted into the National Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri in 1984 and the La Porte Bowling Hall of Fame in 1985 in addition to being awarded a lifetime membership in the USBC. Also known as a skilled homemaker, Louise designed and tailored both men's and women's clothing, crocheted afghans, created award winning needlepoint and embroidered pictures, and routinely produced culinary delights from her kitchen. She took special pleasure throughout her life in caring for wildlife, taking long, brisk walks, playing cards with friends, and maintaining her garden, flowers, and lawn. She consistently exhibited a zest for life, a robust sense of humor, and a contagious optimism which were greatly admired by all who knew her. Louise lived her faith through everyday acts of kindness, forever inspiring every person whose life she touched. Always a loving wife and a proud mother and grandmother, Louise is survived by her son, Terry Wayne Timm, and his wife, LeeAnna; two step children, Kenneth Herbert Olson and Christine Olson Sonnichsen; two daughters-in-law, Carolyn Olson and Carol Marovich Olson; two grandchildren, Nathan Timm and Leila Timm Parker; five step grandchildren, Mark Sonnichsen, Jimmy Olson, Jenna Olson, Christine Olson Fry, and Eric Olson; two great-grandchildren, Laelia Parker and Kai Parker; and three step-great grandchildren, Desna Olson, Taylor Sonnichsen, and Jayden Sonnichsen. Also surviving are two sisters, Wanda Sue Factor of Moore Oklahoma and Kathryn O'Neal of Duncan, Oklahoma. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, both spouses, five brothers, and her stepson, James Michael Olson. Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., La Porte, Indiana. A graveside service celebrating her life will be conducted at the Patton Cemetery in La Porte on Thursday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Carl Galloway officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 50 E. 91st St. STE 100, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46209-4830. To send condolences to Louise's family, visit www.haverstockfuneralhome.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lola Olson please visit our Sympathy Store.