After High School she attended Doane University in Crete, NE. It was her parents and their relatives who introduced “RD” to Doane, and growing up, she had many occasions to visit the campus. At Doane College, she was involved with Phi Sigma Tau sorority, Drum Corp, Tiger Cheerleading, Cardinal Key, Doane Players, Doane Singers, and even the Dolphins, a synchronized swimming club. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Doane in 1953, finishing her final credits at the University of California-Berkeley.
Ruth met her husband, the Rev. Walter Olsen at Doane, and they married the day he graduated in June 1952. All three of their children earned Doane degrees, and over 30 of Ruth’s relatives attended Doane. Ruth and her husband were co-chairpersons for the Bridge to Distinction Campaign. They were honored with the Builder Award; the highest honor Doane graduates can receive. In 2016 Ruth was honored with the President’s Award for Leadership. Ruth was also a member of the Doane Society, Heritage Society and Thomas Doane Society. She helped create the Ruth Olsen Scholarship Fund and Walt Olsen Memorial Endowment.
This extraordinary service and leadership were found in all the communities where Ruth lived. She worked for Berkeley Camp Fire Girls, while Walt completed seminary education, and became a physical education teacher and helped at a public-school day-care center. After seminary, they lived in Albion, NE, then Cambridge, NE, where Walt was ordained, and their three children were born. Then they were called to the Harlan Congregational Church, followed by Iowa City and Milwaukee, WI. Following Walt’s death she moved to Lincoln, NE, to be closer to her kids. Other volunteer roles include her work with Girl Scouts, senior housing centers and P.E.O. Sisterhood, serving as its Wisconsin president in 1988. As a minister’s wife, of course, she took on several roles and enjoyed directing choirs.
Ruth found joy in serving others, but also found enjoyment traveling with friends, church members and family. Needle cross stitch was another favorite hobby, as she made each of the grandchildren elaborate Christmas stockings.
Having grown up going to Lake Okoboji every summer of her life, Ruth was an avid swimmer. In high school, she collected many medals and awards for her swimming. Few things brought her more joy than to see her children and grandchildren jump off the dock and swim at the lake every summer. She was thrilled when they would swim across Brown’s Bay with her. The last time Ruth swam the bay was when she was 80 years old! Ruth swam regularly even after moving to the Landing in 2013. Ruth also loved sailing, boating, and riding wave runners. She loved to take the grandchildren in the small Silverstreak to the Sandy Beach, or through the canals. She loved to do jigsaw and crossword puzzles.
Though in more recent years she suffered from severe dementia, she would still light up when memories of the lake were shared. The staff at the Cove House loved her snarky sense of humor that was with her until the end.
She is survived by her three children: Jim Olsen (wife Marilyn) of Macomb, IL; Mary Steiner of Lincoln, NE; Liz Schulenberg (husband Ed) of Lincoln, NE; seven grandchildren: Cassie (Bret) Hays, Brittany (Justin) Wipf, Diane (Luke) Delgehausen, Ross Schulenberg, Mick Steiner, Eric (Jordan) Olsen, Rachel Olsen, and five great-grandchildren: Lydia Hays, Loius Hays, Selah Olsen, Lincoln Wipf, and Nora Delgehausen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, Auntie Dot Ross, son-in-law Tim Steiner, husband Walt, and brother, Jim Ross.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022 at First-Plymouth Church (2000 ‘D’ St., Lincoln, NE)
Memorials are suggested to Doane University or the Okoboji Foundation.