Libbie Ann Olson, 95, passed away Nov. 7, 2023 peacefully at River Bend Assisting Living in Great Bend, Kan. Libbie was born in Omaha, Neb. on Oct. 13, 1928, to Frank and Bozena Storch. She married Cedric Olson in 1951 in Omaha, Neb. For their honeymoon, they traveled to Great Bend, Kan. where they moved soon after and spent the rest of their days.
Libbie graduated from Nebraska State Teacher’s College in Kearney, Neb. in 1950 and earned her master’s degree in library science from Emporia State University in 1970. She taught one year in Omaha, Neb. and then 40 years in Great Bend. She was a kindergarten teacher at Park School for 15 years, elementary librarian for five years and then moved to Great Bend High School where she was the Head Librarian. She thoroughly enjoyed working with children. One of her biggest professional endeavors was establishing the modern library system for GBHS.
Libbie served as Secretary, Vice-President and President of Great Bend Chapter of National Education Association in which she was instrumental in getting equal pay for women and men teachers. She helped organize the Central Kansas Kindergarten Teachers Association. She received the Master Teacher Award in 1991, which she was most proud of. Libbie and Ced were members of the Kansas Quarter Horse Association. They made lifelong friendships and devoted many miles supporting their daughters and their horses. They were instrumental in promoting the Barton County 4H Horse program. Other professional memberships include KNEA, Kansas Association of School Librarians and Delta Kappa Gamma, PEO, Cosmopolitan Study Club and RSVP. Libbie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Great Bend where she was active as a Deacon, Elder for the church and active on various church committees.
After caring for her husband Ced, she moved into Great Bend from the country and continued to pour her heart and time into her church and family. She was an avid traveler, visiting friends and family. But what she most enjoyed was the activities involving her four grandchildren. She could always be counted on to help with a school paper, keep the correct tennis score at their many matches and be ready with a tin of homemade cookies and coffee cake at Christmas. She was their biggest cheerleader, especially for educational endeavors. She was most proud of all grandchildren graduating from college and reaching their degree goals.
She will be greatly missed by two her daughters Nancy (John) Francis of Great Bend and Jane Gunn-McRae (Terry) of Topeka; four grandchildren, Lauren (Jeremiah) Jones of Lakewood, Colo., Leslie (Nick) Klug of Great Bend, Garrett (Natasha) Gunn of Topeka and Morgan Francis of Hermosa Beach, Calif; two step grandchildren, Josh (Kelly) McRae of Overland Park and Justin McRae of Eudora; four great grandchildren, Olivia and Liam Klug of Great Bend, and William and Libbie Jones of Lakewood, Colo.; and two step great grandchildren, Keegan and Kade McRae. She is also survived by brother, Dr. Vladimir (Gloria) Storch of Omaha, Neb. along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and sisters Dramy Smith of Grand Island, Neb. and Bozena Drozda of Omaha, Neb. The family wishes to say Thank You to River Bend and various caregivers for their loving care over the years. Visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive guests from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church, with Kathleen Luke presiding. A private family interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated to First Presbyterian Church and USD 428 Education Foundation, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
