Korra Marie Grunerud Olson

November 14, 1922 - January 29, 2016

Korra Marie Grunerud Olson Obituary (Age 93) Korra passed away January 29, 2016. She was born November 14, 1922 in Bonners Ferry, ID, the sixth and youngest child of Almer & Rosine (Holen) Grunerud. She attended schools there and after graduation was employed at the Bonners Ferry Community Hospital. She married Omer S. Olson on August 29, 1942 in Coeur d�Alene, ID. Omer served as an Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer on the USS Bogue during World War II. After he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy October 5, 1945, they moved to Chewelah, WA where they lived until 1950. Korra kept busy raising their four sons and daughter. As a family, they also resided in Bonners Ferry, ID, Helena, MT, and Spokane. Omer & Korra were the first couple to occupy a Spokane Valley cottage home in the new 1998 Good Samaritan Village development. Once they settled in, they were interviewed for a television commercial that advertised the duplex homes with scenic views in all directions. Some lifelong friends and others saw them on TV and later moved into their own cottage homes becoming Omer & Korra�s neighbors, then sharing many memorable years together. For five years, from Dec. 2010 to Dec. 2015, Broadway Court Estates was a friendly place to "hang their hats" until moving to their first assisted living apartment within Riverside Retirement Community at Riverside Terrace. They soon were enjoying great meals, friendly residents & staff, a Sunday 6 pm chapel service and help at the push of a button. Korra endured open heart surgery in 2012 and other health issues but was still spunky, full of life, witty and making people laugh right up until the day before she unexpectedly passed. During her life, Korra was active in church, family activities, enjoyed many years at their Coeur d�Alene Lake homes, walking in the woods, picking wild flowers, fishing, bird watching, painting scenery & wildlife. As a teenager she began writing poetry and compiled several books to share with her five children, family & friends. They were poems of nature, her philosophy on life, births, deaths and special occasions. Korra was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be remembered for her upbeat attitude, humor, creative talents, compassion, hospitality, gratitude, faith and gentle spirit. Omer and Korra have been members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church since 1964. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Goodwin, Arlo, Orion, Ralph and sister Lila. Korra is survived by her soon to be 95 year old husband, Omer S., sons Omer L. �Butch� (Sharon), Eltopia, WA, John, Art (Fannie), and Ted, all of Spokane; daughter, Arlynn DuChene (Joseph), West Linn, OR; eleven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, numerous nieces, nephews & special friends. A Graveside Service will be Saturday, February 20th at 11:00 AM, Riverside Memorial Park, 508 N. Government Way (inside the gates at Heritage Funeral Home). A 1:00 PM Memorial Service will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2715 S. Ray St., Spokane, WA 99223. The following is an excerpt from a poem Korra wrote after her mother, Rosine, passed. They were both earth angels. �Mom� The harvest is ended-the summer is past, And golden leaves drift to the ground. The flowers, untended, have slipped from her grasp, For Mother�s no longer around. Dear Mother �tho gone from our sight for a while, Your memory is precious to all. How fondly I like to remember your smile- Your appearance, so tidy and small. Your ways, so endearing, were quiet and kind- Your burdens, you�d silently bear. Your presence was cheering-you gave peace of mind. Your compassion was endless and rare. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Korra, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events JAN 29