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Obituary of Dorothy Eleanor Olsen
In Loving Memory
Dorothy Kocher Olsen
Dorothy passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Tuesday July 23rd 2019. She was born on July 10th 1916 in Woodburn, Oregon.
Grew up on the family farm Dorothy found a fascination with flying after reading The Red Knight of Germany. She joined the Woodburn Flying Club at age 28 with a private pilot license that she has earned while teaching dance lessons-tap and ballet. When WWII started she joined and served as a WASP(Women Airforce Service Pilots) pilot stationed in Long Beach Army Air Base, CA. During her service as a Ferry Pilot she flew 22 different aircraft from B-17s to P-51s. Her favorites were the P-38s and P-51s. In 2009 Dorothy was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the U.S.
After the war she married Harold W. Olsen, a Washington State trooper and settled in University Place, Wa. They had and raised two children, son Kim and daughter Julie. She opened and operated an antique shop in Lakewood, Wa successfully for 30 years.
Her love of flying and the need for speed has landed her a speeding ticket in her 65 poppy orange Mustang. Besides flying and spending time with family she also had so much love for animals and gardening. In her later years she spent a lot of time gardening and sitting in the sun with her dog. A fighter to the end and has always lived her life to the fullest. She will be greatly missed.
Dorothy is survived by
Son Kim Eric Olsen
Daughter Julie Ann Stranburg
Son in law Clifford Stranburg
Grandson Robert Warren George
Granddaughter in law Chanly George
Great grandson Cody Alexander George
A Funeral Mass will be held at
Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in the Chapel
7112 S 12th Street
Tacoma, WA 98465
9:00 AM Monday, July 29th 2019
Interment to immediately follow at
Calvary Cemetery
5212 S 70th Street
Tacoma, WA 98467
A Private wake for friends and family will be held at our residence after interment
1711 S 373rd Place
Federal Way, WA 98003
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