Eileen Culley Olson

Service Time: 10:30 A.M.
Day and Date: Thursday, November 29, 2007
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church of Russell, Kansas
Visitation and Guest Book Registration: 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, November 28.  Family present 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Wednesday evening.
Burial: Mt. Hope Mausoleum in Topeka, Kansas - No Service at Mausoleum
Memorial to: Trinity United Methodist Church

Eileen L. Culley Olson of Russell, died November 23, 2007 at the Stormont-Vail Health Care Center in Topeka , Kansas . She was born July 21, 1923 in Lansford , North Dakota , the daughter of William F. and Alice C. (Benson) Ritzke.

Eileen grew up in Billings , Montana and graduated from Billing High School in 1940. After high school she attended Montana State University from 1940 – 1942 and majored in business and music. After finishing with college, she went right to work. Being a woman who loves a good adventure, Eileen accepted a bookkeeping position with the Alaska-Canada Highway Project and work there from 1943 – 1944. In 1944 Eileen accepted another position working as the executive secretary for the Director of the Department of Urban Renewal Project in Topeka . She was united in marriage to Donald W. Smith on October 29, 1944 in Billings , Montana . From this union Eileen and Donald were blessed with two children, a son Kevin and a daughter Karen. Donald preceded Eileen in death on January 1, 1962. Later she was united in marriage to Rex L. Culley on January 7, 1966 he also preceded her in death on December 15, 1986. On October 24, 1998 she was then united in marriage to her current husband Edwin W. Olson. Eileen was a long time member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and held many offices and responsibilities and felt it was very important to give back to the church. During her college days she was an active member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Most recently she has been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Pink Ladies Auxiliary and helped with the Russell thrift store. She enjoyed playing bridge, fishing, yard work, gardening, and was a skilled violinist. She had a deep passion for music and was often involved in special musical project in her life, including having the opportunity to play violin for the Hays Symphony Orchestra. Of all the things she enjoyed the most; it was spending time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who will miss her dearly.

She is survived by her husband Edwin W. Olson of the home; a son Kevin Culley and wife Debbie of Silver Lake, Kansas; a daughter Karen Toepfer and husband Gerald P. Loebach of Kansas City , Kansas ; three grandchildren Ann and John Culley and Russell Toepfer and two great grandchildren Emma and Luke Toepfer.

She is also preceded in death by her parents and a sister Dorcas Covalt.

A Celebration of Eileen’s life is scheduled for 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at the Trinity United Methodist church with Pastor Warren Hett officiating. Entombment will follow the service at the Mt. Hope Mausoleum in Topeka , no services will be held in Topeka . Visitation will begin from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with family present from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday evening. The casket will be closed with no public viewing. A memorial has been established with the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell and may be sent to the mortuary at 610 N. Maple * Russell , Kansas 67665 . Condolences may be sent via email by going to www.pvpmortuary.com . Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the arrangements.