Gladys Olson Obit from Find-a-Grave

Gladys Olson Obit from Find-a-Grave

Koltveit, Gladys Angeline,

84, loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, died peacefully on January 20, 2017, with her family by her side.

Gladys was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 10, 1932 to Tollef Olson and Ingebor Tollefson. Along with her younger brother Jim, she was raised on the family farm in Reynolds, North Dakota. After high school, she went to St. Olaf College and graduated with a major in Education and Home Economics before relocating to Lewiston, Montana in 1954 to begin her teaching career.

In May 1957, while in Montana, Gladys met the love of her life and within two short months she was engaged to Thomas H. Koltveit culminating in marriage on August 11, 1957 at East Walle Church in Reynolds, North Dakota. Gladys and Tom settled in Louisville, Kentucky in the summer of 1964 as Tom joined the University of Louisville faculty.

Gladys and Tom lived a wonderful life together - traveling, entertaining, playing bridge, teaching, and raising a family. They were blessed with four daughters - Debbie, Lisa, Sheila, and Gretchen - and raised their girls in a home of laughter and love. Gladys continued her teaching career at the Binet School, Ballard High School, and Atherton High School.

On September 2, 1981, Tom lost his battle with cancer at the age of 49. While Gladys may have lost her soulmate after 24 years of marriage, she never lost her reason for living. For the next 35 years, Gladys continued to live a full life - she was active at St. John Lutheran Church, enjoying the friendships of many from the University of Louisville, continuing to play bridge and travel, and cherishing her time with her daughters and their growing families.

Gladys is survived by her daughters - Debra Koltveit, Lisa (EC) Thirlwell, Sheila (Steve) Priest, and Gretchen Mulvihill - and nine grandchildren: Sarah Nehring, Julie Nehring, and Laura Nehring; Sarah Jordan Priest, Lincoln Priest, Tanner Priest, and Meredith Priest; and Lauren Mulvihill and Brendan Mulvihill. She is also survived by her brother Jim and his wife Donna along with their children - Eric Olson, Gail (Dan) Williams, Karen (Erik) Little, and Daniel Olson. In addition to her husband Tom, she is preceded in death by her parents, Tollef and Ingebor Olson.

Funeral service noon Wednesday at Pearson's, 149 Breckenridge Lane, with burial to follow in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation 10 am Wednesday until time of service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church (901 Breckinridge Lane, Louisville KY 40207) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .

Published in The Courier-Journal on Jan. 23, 2017