Shirley Jean Rickert Olson

Shirley Jean Rickert Olson was born to Minnie and George Rickert of Longbranch April 28, 1927, and died peacefully Dec. 4, at the age of 93. She lived her entire life on the Key Peninsula, which she described as “the best place on Earth!”

She graduated from Vaughn High School in 1946 and married Donald Olson of Vaughn in 1947. They built their family home right in the middle of Key Center on the Olson homestead property. They went on to spend the next 64 years together there, raising four beautiful daughters.

Shirley volunteered with many local organizations: Vaughn Community Church, Vaughn Elementary PTA, KP Civic Center, as a founding member of the Angel Guild, a charter member of the KP Historical Society, Ashes, and the Twilite Dance Club. Shirley loved to dance, travel, garden, decorate for all holidays, dress up in costumes, and loved all animals.

But the main highlight of her life was spending time with her grandchildren when she became “Mumma.”  She was a loving presence in all their lives, attending sporting events, birthdays, graduations, and hosting the best Christmas Eve on the KP. The party was open to all her family, friends and Santa, who visited every year.

She was the best mom ever and the best Mumma ever! Keep on dancing!

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Donald Olson; her parents, George and Minnie Rickert; her in-laws Elmer and Elsie Olson; her best friend and sister Marge Radonich; and brother Dave Rickert. She is survived by her daughters Donna Summerhays of Tucson; Claudia Loy (Dale) of Key Center; Debby Englund (Lance) of Victor; and Darcie Long of Victor; grandchildren Kyle Koehn (Heather), Amy Shaver (Ty), Kara Koehn, Taryn Laakso, Bryan Long and Brandon Long; great-grandchildren Kelsy, Emily, Dylan, Kacey, Isabella, Avery, Kaitlyn, Whitney; and great-great-grandchildren Kolten and Kavayah.

Thank you to the staff at The Arbor at Bremerton for taking care of Mom for the last two years. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the KP Civic Center, the KP Historical Society or the KP organization of your choice. Shirley’s celebration of life will be later this year.