Carla “Susan” Olsen passed away peacefully April 9th, 2024, at Cates House, Marion County Hospice, Ocala, FL.
Susan was born September 29th, 1938, in Saint Paul, MN to Rev. Obed and Elizabeth (Nelson) Asp. She graduated valedictorian at Alden Conger High School in Alden, MN and did her college studies at Mankato State University. She taught art classes to students of all ages in Minnesota and upstate New York, often helping troubled students.
She traveled, often on foot, throughout Europe doing academic research. While in Norway she established a strong family relationship. And over the years she loved her many cats, often rescues.
She married Millar Guthrie in 1964, Paul J. Mosman in 1985, and Clarion H. Olsen in 2004, all of whom predeceased her. Together with Clarion she enjoyed summers at their Becker, Minnesota farm, winters in Florida, visiting Clarion’s interim churches in Hawaii, and traveling around Norway. During her last 7 years her stepson, Scott Olsen, was her caretaker taking her back and forth from Florida to Minnesota and Wisconsin.
She was also predeceased by her sister Elsbeth A. Hinck, brother Waldo Asp, brothers-in-law Dr. Henry W. Hinck, Lyle Miles, Howard Olsen, Willard Olsen and Chester Olsen, stepson Ted Olsen, nephew Jonathan Hinck, and grandson Nicholas Lublin. Susan is survived by her daughter Kathryn Bonnell (William); granddaughters McKenzy McAuley and Lexa Martin; sister-in-law Irene Asp; nieces Barbara Berlin, Mary Pearson, Caroline Sells and Tanya Leffler; stepchildren Cathy (Olsen) Nardo, Scott Olsen, Nancy (Olsen) Beech, Anne (Mosman) Faulkner, Karen (Mosman) Barnette, and Janet (Mosman) Tauer; numerous step grandchildren and several other relatives.
There will be a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 27 at the Union Congregational Church, UCC, 1118 4th St. NW, Elk River, MN 55330. And a Celebration of Life in Ocala, FL to be announced later in February 2025. Donations in Susan Olsen’s memory may be made to your favorite organization that assists with homeless animals.
