Menu
Dora Mae Olson
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. -- Dora Mae Olson, 89, was born Dec. 20, 1925, in McCook, Nebraska, to James W. and Mabel B. (Raichart) White. She passed away Dec. 25, 2014, at Broomfield Skilled Nursing, Broomfield, Colorado, from complications of dementia.
Memorial services will be Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at 2 p.m. Service and reception will be in the parlor room at Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church, 7530 W. 38th Ave, in Wheat Ridge.
Dora Mae grew up in McCook, graduating from McCook High School in 1943 and McCook Junior College in 1945. She continued her training at General Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, becoming a medical technologist in 1947. She started this career at St. Anthony's Hospital in Hays, Kansas, and continued at St. Catherine's Hospital and McCook Clinic.
In December of 1949, Dora Mae married Stewart Harrison at the Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook, where she was a member for over 60 years. Stewart was a partner in Moffitt-Harrison Builders, Inc. constructing commercial, industrial and government buildings advancing development in McCook and the surrounding area. Stewart passed away in 1974.
Dora Mae was married to Don D. Olson of McCook from 1977 to 1987. During this time she was a tax preparer for H & R Block in McCook. In the late 1980s, she moved to Wheat Ridge to be near her daughter.
In her youth she enjoyed playing marbles, bicycling, swimming, family picnics, fishing, "going to the show" and Girl Scouts. In the spring of 1936, her family purchased a new Plymouth inspiring her young blood with a passion for "road trips." Later her hobbies expanded to include boating at Red Willow Lake, sewing, photography and miniatures. To the very end she was a Cornhusker football fan. As a senior, she became an avid "counted cross stitcher," completing many major projects. She was a member of the United Memorial Methodist Church, Eastern Star Chapter No. 86, Dance Club, and was a Girl Scout Leader for many years.
Dora Mae was preceded in death by her parents Jim and Mabel White; her brother, Leon; husbands, Stewart Harrison and Don Olson; Wheat Ridge friend, Barbara Johnson and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her daughter Teresa Harrison, Wheat Ridge, CO, cousin Deanna (Pete) Dow, Sun City West, Arizona; brothers-in-law, Don (Roberta) Harrison, Northglenn, Colorado and Bruce (Lee) Harrison, Aurora, Colorado; life- long friend, Elizabeth Thiel, Lincoln, Nebraska, and two nieces and two nephews.
Please share memories and condolences at www.HoranCares.com. Memorial donations may be given in her name to Senior Resource Center-Transportation Department, 3227 Chase St, Denver, CO 80212 or a United Methodist Church of your choice. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook, NE at a date to be determined.