Monica Viola Olson

Monica Viola Heitstuman was born in Colton, Washington, to Katherine and Benjamin Heitstuman. One of ten children, Monica grew up during the Great Depression in the farm land of the Palouse. After graduating from Colton High School in 1942, she moved with her sister Annette to Spokane where she met James G. Olson, whom she married in 1948. They settled down there and had five children (plus one). Monica was very active in her church, St Xavier’s, and for many years was a member of St. Monica’s Guild, hosting wedding receptions and other gatherings at St. Xavier’s along with her sister Annette and other close friends. As a homemaker and stay-at-home mom, Monica became a mother to an entire neighborhood of children, as well as developing a large network of life-long friends. After 45 years of marriage, James passed away in 1993. Monica continued her community activities, and became the beloved matriarch of an extended family of loved ones. Slowed by a stroke, Monica moved to an adult family home in 2008 where she continued to anchor her family and add new friends to the circle. Monica was a woman of rare compassion and patience, willing to listen, support, teach, accept and comfort at a moment’s notice. She will be missed. Monica is survived by her children, David (Andrea), Lowell (Lynda), Catherine (Fred), Robert (Connie), Elizabeth (Thom), and Roger (Andrea); her grandson, Nicholas; her goddaughters, Julie Curran and Julie Wickwire; and scores of nieces, nephews and friends. A Funeral Mass will be held for Monica V. Olson on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Church, 545 E Providence Ave, Spokane, Washington. Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. For those wishing to attend, a short graveside benediction will be held at St. Gall’s Cemetery in Colton, WA at 2pm. A memorial gathering will be held at 6pm in Spokane at a location to be announced.