A few thoughts about the passing of an Ann’s Place visionary
This week, we lost a very good person. Ron Olsen never liked to be in the spotlight but the work he inspired has grown to serve thousands of people facing cancer.
His story is very familiar to those of us at Ann’s Place. In the late 80’s he was young and married and trying to start a family but all those dreams and plans were interrupted by a terrible disease. Cancer took his young wife, Ann, but Ron didn’t let his sorrow settle into his soul. He decided to turn his pain into love and help those struggling like he did.
In 1987, he started the Ann Olsen Endowment with many of Ann’s friends and family, including colleagues from Boehringer Ingelheim, where Ann worked. Through Ron’s vision, they raised funds to help families facing cancer and to make life a little better for them. The endowment partnered and later merged with another agency, I Can, to become Ann’s Place, Home of I Can and later shortened to Ann’s Place. Together, these organizations achieved incredible things that they never could have alone.
Through his work, Ron let his natural joy for life and love for others guide him. He could always be found helping at a fundraiser or guiding the next generation of leaders. He gladly shared his vision but also allowed others to lead and shine.
Ron’s ability to partner with others and let them make his vision their own was the greatest gift he gave Ann’s Place. This tradition, heavy with community involvement and volunteerism, continues today. In more recent years, he would affectionately say to us, “This is your generation’s time. Make Ann’s Place what you think it should be.”
Thank you Ron for your many years of encouragement, guidance and care for others. We promise to carry on your legacy and keep turning pain into love.
We will miss you.
The Ann’s Place Staff and Board
9/1/22 Update: The family reports there will be a private Fall memorial, followed by a Ronald Remembrance Day celebration at Ann's Place in the Spring after Ann's Place reopens its doors to the public. Details will be provided closer to the event.
The family thanks you all for the many acts of kindness and support following Ron's passing. The family also requests new tribute donations in Ron's honor be directed toward a fund to update the entrance doors with automatic openers for handicap access.