Bette Jean Olsen, age 81, of Baldwin, Wisconsin, died Monday, April 21, 2025, at Park View Home in Woodville.
Bette Jean Lorree Olsen was born at the Baldwin Hospital on August 29, 1943, the first child of Reuben and Lorree Hermanson of Woodville. Later, a brother and a sister completed the family. Bette Jean graduated with the last class from Woodville High School in 1961. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College for two years and then transferred to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls from which she graduated in 1965.
While a college student, Bette Jean came to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A verse that was particularly meaningful was John 5:24, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life.” Her greatest desire for family and friends is that they would have this same knowledge and assurance.
Bette Jean married Walter Olsen on August 14, 1965, at Woodville. They were blessed with sons Timothy and Daniel. She was a “stay at home mom” when her children were young, assisting Walt in his ministry at First Baptist Church of Barron and then First Calvary Baptist Church in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Later she added some employment outside the home including nine years in the Communications Learning Lab at Inver Hills Community College in Minnesota. When the Olsens moved to Baptist Bible Church in New Glarus, WI, she was employed as a GED instructor at Omega School in Madison for three years and then taught GED classes to “teens at risk” at Blackhawk Technical College in Monroe, WI for five years.
After retiring from full-time ministry, the Olsens returned to St. Croix County, moving to Baldwin. Bette Jean then spent five years at the River Falls School District working as a special education aide. She was also an active member of First Baptist Church of Woodville and especially enjoyed helping in the music ministry and AWANA.
Preceding Bette Jean in death were her parents, grandparents, and many favorite aunts and uncles. She awaits in heaven her husband, Walter and sons, Timothy and Daniel. She is also survived by one brother-in-law Paul Diedrich of Eau Claire and one brother, Donald of Woodville. She is further survived by aunt, Margaret Helgeson, cousins, nieces and nephews.
When death comes to a believer, Psalm 116:15 is a verse to rejoice in: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
The Funeral service for Bette Jean was on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1st Baptist Church in Woodville, Wisconsin.
Visitation was on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at church prior to the service.
Burial was in Lone Pine Cemetery, Woodville, Wisconsin.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the caregivers from Park View and Adoray Hospice for providing excellent and compassionate care to our beloved B.J.
Keehr Funeral Home, (www.keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.
