Remembering Linda (Rice) Olson
Linda passed away April 23, 2022. She started her sojourn on earth in Yakima, Washington, March 9th, 1949.
Excerpt from her Obituary: Linda worked for the Washington State Department of Transportation for 28 years, the last 14 years as the Purchasing and Telecommunications Manager for Northwest Region before retiring in 2009. In 2017 Linda was elected to the Maple Valley City Council. Linda’s proudest accomplishment, while on the city council, was the creation of the Summit Park Playground. Linda advocated strongly that the playground be inclusive to children of all abilities. The park includes playground equipment that allows children in wheelchairs to play alongside their peers (merry go round, group teeter totter) and many sensory toys. The playground will be renamed in Linda’s honor “The Linda Olson Playground”. Linda resigned from the council in February 2022, allowing her to focus on her family. In Linda's own words (2016): "I was at Northwest 1967-1971. I attend the Maple Valley campus of New Life Renton. My husband, Dave, and I live in Maple Valley and have a total of five kids between the two of us and six amazing grandkids. I am a seven year breast cancer survivor. For fun, we are owners of two race horses that race at Emerald Downs. I feel so blessed to be here to enjoy life to the fullest! Oh, and I retired from WSDOT as the regional Purchasing Manager." |