Juanita Virginia Olson

Juanita Olson went to be with the Lord on the morning of August 21, 2024. She was a woman of grit, determination, sacrificial love and overall class. Her passions included: family, storytelling, traveling, gambling, dancing and animals. The eldest daughter to Buster and Annie O'Banion, Juanita was born and raised in Rison, Arkansas. Three younger siblings followed, to whom she remained close with throughout her life. At the age of 15 Juanita married her first husband, without knowing she was getting married. Despite that she figured out a way to make it work. After 10 years of marriage, she left and started a new life in Denver, Colorado before going to Las Vegas, and finally reuniting with her parents and siblings in California. It was in Denver while working at small diner as a waitress she met the love of her life and second husband Robert "Bob" Olson. They were married for 20 years until his death in 1983. Her love for him transcended time, for 41 years she remained loyal and faithful to Bob until they were able to be reunited in heaven. Bob had three children from a prior marriage: Robin, Tia, and Rod. Juanita loved each of them as they were her own. In her final days when questioned if she regretted not having her own children she stated with a smile on her face, "His three were meant to be mine." As children do, they gave her grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren to love and dote on. Outside of being an incredible stepmother and grandmother, she was also a loving and cherished Aunt. Known as the Aunt who gave the best gifts and snacks, she certainly doted on her many nieces and nephews. Juanita's love did not stop at humans, she loved animals just as much. Bob had given her a dog they named "Angel" shortly before his passing. She adored Angel, and eventually her cats "Tunie" and "Cakes". Juanita traveled throughout the United States, but some of her best memories were in Lake Tahoe with Bob and a trip to Arkansas with her sister, Shirley Pace later in life. After Bob's passing, Juanita continued to work as a waitress and spent extra time with friends and family. She was a familiar face at bingo night and would sometimes go on excursions to the local casino with friends. As the years passed, Juanita would tell anyone who would listen stories of her life, her adventures, tales of her father being a bootlegger, of meeting and falling in love with Bob. Towards the end of her life she would also talk about her love for Christ, which she had from her youth in Arkansas. She lived a full and extraordinary life from start to finish. The family is grateful to the kindness of our Lord as she has gone on to be reunited with her husband, parents, siblings and stepson. We ask that anyone wanting to celebrate this incredible woman join us for the following: Viewing will be held 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday, September 5th, 2024 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Graveside services will be held 10:00 AM Friday, September 6th, 2024 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Celebration lunch will follow at Rancho Fiesta Clubhouse. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Juanita Virginia Olson

August 2, 1935 - August 21, 2024