Donna Jo (Kratz) Olsen

Donna Jo Olsen (Kratz), 76, passed away July 28, 2024, after a short and unexpected illness. She was surrounded by her husband and children. Donna grew up in Lancaster, California, near Edwards Air Force Base. She always fondly recalled her childhood with her grandparents, especially Grandma Kratz (Adalaide). She moved to Idaho Falls after marrying the love of her life, Robert Olsen, and together they bought their forever home, which she improved herself with beautiful gardens and unique interior painting. Donna became a small business owner in the 90s in Idaho Falls and owned two clubs and two sports bars. She was well-known in the community for darts and foosball tournaments as part of her businesses.

Donna loved art, music, and history. She sewed her children's and grandchildren's Halloween costumes and baked their birthday cakes. She saw her favorite band, The Eagles, several times throughout her life. At home, her library was bursting with history books, especially about the medieval and Renaissance eras.

Donna was also a fierce advocate for women's rights, despite living in a very conservative area. She wrote letters to the editor and followed politics closely. She was a deeply empathetic person who had to cover her eyes if something bad was happening on a TV show.

She was a strong proponent of education and inspired all of her children to be successful in school, with them earning multiple advanced college degrees. Having not had the opportunity to finish middle school as a child, she obtained her high school diploma at age 47 and completed several college courses in her late 60s. Her family was so proud of her.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, and her beloved granddaughter, Jordyn Harris (Kempkers). She is survived by her husband, Robert Olsen of Idaho Falls; children Randy Frey of Folsom, Calif., Renee Christensen (Marsh) of Idaho Falls, Kryci Kempkers (Drake) of Idaho Falls, and Amy Olmstead (Olsen), of Seattle, Washington; her grandchildren, Sadie, Christopher, Brian, Justin, and Nicholas; and two great-grandchildren. We will miss her dearly.