Stephen H. Olsen
Olsen, Capt. Stephen H., 56, Sea Capt., died Sunday, April 1, 2007. Rosary, 7:00 P.M., Friday, April 13; Memorial Service, 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 14, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Survivors: wife, Florence E. Jansen-Olsen; brother, Thomas and wife, Jody Olsen; sisters, Suzie Sweeney and LuAnn Olsen; nieces nephews, Megan Sweeney, Rachel Stowell, Jennifer, Michael, Paige, and Kristen Olsen all of Wichita. Born in Salina, Kansas to Thomas and Mildred (Lacy) Olsen (both deceased), Steve received a full academic scholarship from the University of Kansas. He majored in Contemporary Communications and minored in Public Relations and Journalism. He would later add a Science Major (University of California, Irvine and Saddleback College, CA). From 1976 to 1983, he taught Sailing and Marine Sciences at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, holding California, Mexican, and South American collectors permits while conducting scientific studies in Mexico and the U.S. During the year of 1978, he would take a three-month sabbatical from Saddleback College and serve as Ships Quartermaster and Instructor of Oceanographic Research and Marine Sciences, a trans-Atlantic crossing for high school students on a 189- foot tall ship the “Ariadne” that carried 15,000 square feet of sail. The 33-day voyage was from Martinique, West Indies then to Hamburg, Germany. Steve held a sea captain license from the U.S. Coast Guard since 1980. While working in San Diego, CA, as General Manager of Nielson Beaumont Marine, Steve received a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding contributions in the field of Drug Law Enforcement by a civilian from the Drug Enforcement Administration. While teaching adult sailing classes for the Wichita Boathouse he met his future wife, Florence. They married on October 3, 1996. Steve served as Executive Director of the River Kids Sailing Program located at the Wichita Boathouse in the mid 1990s. The River Kids Sailing program grew under his directives, as it taught hundreds of children in Wichita the art and skill of sailing. Memorials have been established with the Lords Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214 and Guadalupe Clinic, 940 S. St. Francis, Wichita, KS 67211. Downing Lahey Mortuary West.
Rosary, 7:00 P.M., Friday, April 13, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
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Flo: My prayers are with you. I’m sorry you and Steve had to suffer so much. God bless you. Judi Foote Wichita Sailing Club
Tribute to my Friend, Stephen H. Olsen I thank our Heavenly Father that Steve Olsen is now without pain and in the loving arms of the God of all comfort and mercy. Im confident that although Steve was, in his later years, often angry at God, he knew our loving Father intimately, and died in the faith of His saving grace. Steve was my closest friend since I grew up with him in Salina, Kansas as high school classmates. Ive known him through thick and thin, through good times and bad. He was there for me at times when no one else was. Unfortunately, however, I witnessed him suffer since his early twenties in constant physical pain.more than anyone should have to know or endure. At times excruciating and mentally debilitating, I often thought of Steves life of struggling with pain in comparison to that of the terrible suffering endured by Job of the Bibles Old Testament. Its been said that a candle that burns twice as bright only burns half as long. Thats a fitting description of and tribute to Steves lifetime here on earth. Steve captured the essence of that in his passionate adventuring around the world, and in his genuine love for the sea despite the irony of being a Sea Captain from Kansas. He possessed a brilliant entrepreneurial mind and was a gifted writer and story teller, all of which just came naturally to him. Those were his God given gifts and talents. He spent much of his early life teaching and helping others to learn about the biology of the sea. When his physical condition worsened, he was forced to come back to Kansas from San Diego, CA and still found a way to impart his passion of sailing to young children in the River Kids program in Wichita. He always knew hed get back to the sea again someday, but that day never came. The memories Steve left with me are indelible. Our many trips to Mexico always gave us a bond beyond just friendship. They always gave us a chance to laugh together over something spontaneous that had happened on our journey. Steve was in love with the West Coast as am I, and I was fortunate to have shared our friendship during his time in Laguna Niguel, Dana Point and San Diego. We were able because of my fiancs job to get together frequently around the boats and marinas of San Diego. My memories of times with Steve are countless. He showed and taught me so much.he was the ultimate ‘Tour Guide’ to Southern California. And Baja Mexico. Ill truly miss not living out my life without Steve Olsen on this Earth plane. As Steve was dying in recent months, he chose to close our communication with one another. I would occasionally check with his wife, Florence, to see about his condition and ask if he might like to hear from me.I wish now Id tried harder. I can only hope Steve had forgiven me for not reaching out more despite his wish for separation in his last months. Bless you, Florence, for your constant companionship in Steves time of suffering..Steve truly loved you. I pray fervently that the Lord will bless and reward Steve for his earthly pain and suffering. Ill see you again soon enough Captain Steve. (P.S. Steve, you always knew JoJo would outlive youIm sure he misses you dearly, too!) Amen. Gary Frantz Scottsdale, Arizona
Suzie and all the family, We were so very sorry to hear you had lost Steve but grateful God put His arms around him and stopped his pain. We still have pictures of Steve with his cane many years ago when he lived in Costa Mesa. We have fond memories of Steve. This is a clipping I have by John(Murphy’s) picture—God saw you were getting tired–And a cure was not to be–So He put His arms around you–And whispered come home with Me.
Tom and Family: We were so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. Know that our prayers are with each and every one of you at this time of your great loss.