Rosalie A. Olson, 80, of rural Altona, Illinois died at 6:35 P.M. on Monday, May 2, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Galesburg, Illinois.
Rosalie was born on January 31, 1941, in Peoria, Illinois, the oldest child of Louis and Ruth (née Fernihough) Augspurger of Peoria. She graduated from Woodruff High School in 1959 and attended Illinois Central College, Carl Sandburg College, and Bradley University. She began working as an executive secretary for the manager of the international division of Hyster Company in Peoria, Illinois, after finishing high school.
While a contestant in the Miss Peoria contest in 1960, she met a young farmer and Air National Guardsman. Rosalie married Max A. Olson on December 23, 1962, in Peoria, Illinois. Their daughter, Angela, was born on April 3, 1968. Rosalie became an active homemaker on the family farm. She raised and sold AKC registered Collies for several years. The farm produced purebred Red Poll cattle.
Rosalie had many talents. She made wedding cakes and taught cake decorating through Carl Sandburg College. Many remember her phenomenal cooking skills and her fabulous birthday cakes. She also sold baked goods on the Knox County Scenic Drive. She was an expert seamstress and won many ribbons and awards at the Knox County and Peoria County Fairs for her many creations. She volunteered extensively at the ROWVA schools with several friends and neighbors who were part of the “lunch club” with many wonderful memories. A member of the Ontario unit of the Knox County Home Extension, she also worked as an independent AVON representative for twenty-five years. Many local residents remember Rosalie, as well as Max’s help as the “stealth” AVON delivery man.
Rosalie and her family were members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Altona. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max. A brother, Frederick Augspurger, and a sister, Suzanne Meyer Stuber, both of Peoria, also preceded her in death.
Rosalie is survived by her daughter, Angela Olson of Altona, her brothers Eric Augspurger of Peoria, and Lewis Augspurger and his wife Barbara (née Kipp) of Cypress, Texas.
Cremation will be accorded. A graveside service will be held in late May. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Knox County Humane Society, the Guardian Angels Humane Society, or the Fresenius Kidney Care Center in Galesburg, Illinois. Donations there will be passed on to the American Kidney Fund. Online condolences may be sent to www.h-p-w.com
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