Norma Jean Van Fossan Olson

Norma Jean Van Fossan Olson, Broadwell, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, at the age of 90.

Norma was born on July 12, 1934, to Miles Van Fossan and Isabelle (Brown) Van Fossan and lived and attended school in Elkhart, Illinois. Norma married Robert F. Olson of Broadwell, Illinois on December 12, 1957. The couple began married life living and working in Bellville, Illinois. Returning to Broadwell, Bob and Norma established life-long roots while building and operating the family farm. Norma devoted her life to her family and friends and was a full-time wife, mother, homemaker, and assistant with the management of the farm. Norma’s passion was her family, and she provided a loving and warm home for her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Norma was known to many as “Shorty”, a name Bob gave her when they began dating.

Norma is preceded in death by her husband, Bob. Her parents Miles and Isabelle Van Fossan, and three sisters Mary Elizabeth Luparell, DeLila Dee, and Annetta Pearl Adams. She is survived by her five children, Robert (Dee) Olson of Springfield, Illinois, Nancy (Kevin) Courtwright of Broadwell, Illinois, Susan (Bryan) Johnston of Mahomet, Illinois, James (Ann) Olson of Broadwell, Illinois and Sandra Tiffany of Lincoln, Illinois. Grandma Shorty is survived by 12 grandchildren: Madeline Olson, Kasey and Kylie (Fricke) Courtwright, Jason and Leslie (Pfiefer) Johnston, Abby (Conrady), Jake and Betsy (Hamlin) Olson, and Elaine (Toft), Sam, Will, and Adrienne Tiffany, as well as fifteen great grandchildren.

A private celebration of Norma’s life will be held by her family. Interment will be at Elkhart Hill Cemetery, Elkhart, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Illinois.