Betsy Olson

Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita, 918-256-5555. Betsy Parks Olson was born in Chelsea, OK on January 4, 1922 to J.B. and Ann Waldrop Parks. Betsy was member of the Cherokee Tribe. Betsy was the youngest of three daughters. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Donald Olson and sister's Barbara Watkins of Chelsea, OK and Eleanor Beumer of San Leandro, CA. Betsy attended grade school and high school in Chelsea., OK. She attended Oklahoma City University, majoring in music. While in Oklahoma City she met and married Dr. Donald H. Olson. While her husband completed his internship in Detroit MI Betsy worked as the Executive Secretary to the President, Chevrolet Division, of General Motors. After World War II, Don and Betsy settled in Vinita, OK where Dr. Olson was a family physician for more than 40 years. In the 1970's Betsy enrolled at Tulsa University and earned a B.S in Anthropology. After graduation she volunteered for three years at the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, in Tulsa, OK. In 1975 she was named the Acting Curator of Art and later the Curator of Anthropology at the Gilcrease Museum. Betsy did extensive research on Cherokee baskets. She provided research for the OETA film on Ella Mae Blackbear. In addition she published various professional papers and articles regarding baskets and pottery. Betsy initiated, developed and supervised the criteria for cataloguing over 45,000 Native American artifacts in the Gilcrease collection. Betsy was active in her community. She was Past President of P.E.O. She served as a board member of the Eastern Trails Museum, the Vinita Library and the Vinita Day Center. She served on the Arts and Humanities Council in Vinita. She was a Den Mother for Boy Scouts of America. She was also a member of P.T.O and St. John's Episcopal Church. Betsy is survived by her two sons, and daughter-in-laws Dr. Christopher and Jeanie Olson, Drs. Jay and Roberta Olson. Grandchildren include Dena Pitts, William Brinkman and wife Sandra, Dr. Colby Beats and husband Daniel, Jami Sutton and husband Nick; and eight great grandchildren. Betsy loved to travel and her beautiful home reflected her extensive collections of Native American and ethnic artifacts. Friends may give to the P.E.O. Chapter CG for their local scholarship fund c/o Sara Shelton, Treasurer, P.O. Box 494, Vinita, OK 74301-0494. The graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Fairview Cemetery at 11:00 AM, the Rev. Joanne Wright will officiate. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.

Service Details

Tuesday, March 14th, 2017 11:00am, Fairview Cemetery - Vinita

Interment Details

Fairview Cemetery - Vinita