In Memory of

Gertrude

Olsen

Obituary for Gertrude Olsen

Gertrude Rosemary
Loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother

Gertrude Rosemary (Kirchner) Olsen, 86, longtime resident of Bantam, passed away peacefully at Litchfield Woods Health Care to be with the Lord on September 22, 2017

She was born on October 30, 1930 in Bronx, New York, daughter of the late Charles and Martha (Bretschneider) Kirchner. She was a Graduate of Walton High School, Bronx, New York.

Gertrude worked as a Secretary for three years at the Long Island Railroad in Manhattan and then met her husband Bjarne Olsen and they eventually settled in Bantam in 1952.
Gertrude continued her career as a Secretary for the Connecticut Junior Republic in Litchfield for an impressive 43 years of Service until she became a stroke survivor at the age of 72.

She is predeceased by Bjarne Olsen, her son Thomas Olsen, Brother Gerhardt Kirchner and his wife Florence Kirchner.
She is survived by three daughters, Lorrie Capuano and her husband Michael (Jack), Karen Rust and her husband Jay and Kristine Weik and her husband Brian, all residents of Bantam.
Gertrude also leaves behind her beloved Grandchildren, Brian Capuano and his wife Lauren of Bantam, Erik Capuano of Stonington, Maine, Spencer Rust of Torrington, Karly Rust of Stamford, Emily Weik of Glastonbury, Ian and Levi Weik of Bantam. A week before her passing she became a Great-Grandmother to a beautiful Great- Grandson named Gunner born to Brian and Lauren. She was so excited about the new arrival and would talk about it every day.

She also holds dear to her heart nieces Carol Beach and her husband Anthony (Tony) Beach of Litchfield, Christine McGrady and her husband Kevin of Litchfield, nephews Kenneth Kirchner and his wife Maryanne of Salisbury, Maryland and Robert Kirchner and his wife Marlene of Morris and many nieces and nephews.
Gertrude enjoyed spending time with her Grandchildren and her Family, game nights, playing bingo, baking, vacations at the ocean and weekend bus trip adventures.
There was much care given by the family, neighbors, and friends after Gertrude’s stroke for the past 14 years and the
family would like to thank all the home caregivers at Northwest Homecare and Litchfield Woods for their great care, especially Nurse Joanne, who was always so helpful and supportive during the last 4 ½ years in Litchfield Woods care. A special thanks to Melissa an aide at LWC whom our Mom took a liking to for her devotion to Mom’s needs. A special thanks also to our cousin Bill for his support over the years. It takes a village of care and we are thankful to everyone who came upon Gertrude’s path and enriched her life.
A “Celebration of Life” Service will be held at Ellsworth Cemetery in Sharon, Connecticut at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 30. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Church, 9 Bolton Hill Road, Cornwall, CT 06753, Connecticut Junior Republic, 550 Goshen Road, Litchfield, CT 06759 or Bantam Fire Company, 92 Doyle Road, Bantam, CT 06750.