Olson, Audrey Ann

Audrey Ann Nemanich Olson, age 78, passed to eternal life on January 18, 2011. She was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1932, the daughter of Anna Smolich Nemanich & Joseph Nemanich. She attended Mother of God Catholic School and Waukegan High School, Waukegan, Illinois. She went on and attended Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois and graduated in 1953 with a BA in Speech. She later attended University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. Later in life, Audrey pursued her love for Interior Design where she studied at Harrington Institute of Design in Chicago, Illinois. She married George Bernard Olson in 1955 at Mother of God Catholic Church, Waukegan, Illinois. They have been married for 56 years and parents to two sons and four daughters. Audrey was an accomplished golfer, bridge player, gourmet cook and Interior Designer. She was active in Catholic Children‘s Education at Church of St. Mary‘s, Lake Forest, IL. where she was lead coordinator for 10 years. She was instrumental in establishing the Lake Bluff Girl‘s Softball League in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Audrey owned with husband George and daughter Nancy an Interior Design and Furniture Business in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin for 14 years of which she truly enjoyed. She was president of Northwoods Ski Touring Association during that time in Boulder Junction. A resident of Lake Bluff, Illinois for most of her life, Audrey lived in Presque Isle, Wisconsin in her later years and recently in Pinehurst, NC. She is survived by her husband George Bernard, brother Joseph Nemanich(Vivian), brother William Nemanich, sons William(Cheryl), Michael(Shelly), daughters Nancy, Linda, nine grandchildren and Labrador Molly. She is preceded in death by daughter Ann, daughter Mary, mother Anna, father Joseph, sister Irene, sister-in-law Mary Lou and sister-in-law Mary. Audrey enjoyed her family most of all and entertaining with her many friends in Lake Bluff, Illinois, Presque Isle, Wisconsin and Pinehurst, NC. She was a remarkable and exceptional woman who lived life full of boundless energy, straight talk and a down-to earth style. She will be sadly missed by her family and her many devoted friends. A private memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Church of St. Mary‘s, Lake Forest, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SECU Family House at UNC-Chapel Hill Hospitals, 123 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27517. Online condolences may be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com. Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is assisting the family.