Helen Olson Obituary

Helen E. Barber Olson born July 2, 1916 in Omaha, Nebraska to Bessie C. (Dulaney) Barber and Rodman Reeves Barber. She attended schools in Omaha, Nebraska and Kansas City, Kansas, graduating from North High in Kansas City in 1936. She was a girl cadet on the rifle team from 1932-1936 and won a third place in marksmanship. She worked as a stenographer for the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha and Chicago, and moved to LaGrange in 1940 when she worked for the Federal Reserve Bank. She also worked part time for the Village of LaGrange for Glen McGee and for the police and fire departments. She was a Village Commissioner. She worked at the Credit Bureau in LaGrange and helped to get LaGrange Community Hospital started, also working as a member of the auxiliary and a charter member of the life members association. She was a secretary for the First Congregational Church of LaGrange and a member of the choir. She retired as executive secretary of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce. She was a charter member of Coulter Post 1941, American Legion Auxiliary; charter member of the Lagrange Historical Society; organizer of LaGrange Chapter, AARP; committee member for the LaGrange Pet Parade for over 40 years; member of the LaGrange Business and Professional Women's Club; the National Secretaries Association; the LaGrange Women's Club; Eastern Star; Kiwanis Club of LaGrange; LaGrange Garden Club; a bellringer and doughnut day volunteer for the Salvation Army; an associate member of West Suburban Realtors Association and an office secretary for the U.S. Women's Golf Open tournament at LaGrange Country Club in 1982. Mrs Olson, of LaGrange, beloved wife of the late Fred Harry; loving mother of Joanne (Robert) Harrington and Peg (Charles) Hook; devoted grandmother of five; dear great-grandmother of five; fond sister of the late Robert Henry Barber; dear aunt of David (Amy) Barber. Visitation 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside, where service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Interment Parkholm Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Memorials to The American Legion Robert E. Coulter Post # 1941, 900 S. LaGrange Rd., LaGrange, IL 60525 appreciated. Funeral Home Phone, 708-352-6500