Adella Olson
Adella May Marie Hansen Olson came into the world on May 25, 1936, born to parents Herbert Luther Hansen and Alice Bronander Hansen in St. Paul, Minnesota. Soon after she was born, her parents and older brothers Herb and Dewayne packed the car and moved to Portland, Oregon, leaving the tornados and harsh winters behind. Adella loved growing up in Portland. Other family followed them out the west, and Adella was surrounded by many cousins; she learned gifts of Scandinavian hospitality as her parents were always hosting gatherings at their home. She experienced love of the Lord in her home, and as part of Portland Covenant church, and followed Jesus from a young age. Adella was very artistic; she drew constantly, and she began to study piano seriously with a highly regarded teacher and became her star student. At age 10, Adella could play the Minute Waltz in just over one minute, and at age 12 became the pianist for St. John’s Covenant church, taking the bus across town by herself on Sunday mornings. Adella’s dream of having a sister came true when Novella came to live with them!
1949-50 saw an outbreak of polio, and unfortunately Adella contracted both Bulbar and Spinal polio and became paralyzed. She survived but was told she might never walk again; however, with a will of iron and years of therapy she learned to walk without a brace. She was also informed that she could never become a nurse. So of course she became a Nurse! Adella got a scholarship to Seattle Pacific College, then was accepted at one of the top nursing schools in the country, Emmanuel Hospital. She graduated with honors and went to work for a doctor in private practice.
In 1961 Adella married Alden. They moved to Seattle and attended Seattle First Covenant, and then moved to California for Alden’s work at Rocket Research. They helped the Notehelfers start Foothills Covenant Church, and Adella was pianist for the San Jose Light Opera. Eventually they returned to WA and settled in Renton. It was a long commute to Seattle First Covenant, so they spoke with the denomination about starting a new Covenant church in Kent/Renton, helped to gather families, and started the work of founding Kent Covenant Church. Adella happily wore many hats, from pianist to Sunday School teacher, to newsletter creator and more. The church grew and grew.
Adella took time off from her nursing career as she became a mother; Cherlyn was born first, then Charise. She poured her heart into helping them to know Jesus from a young age and encouraged creativity and hard work. Friends were always welcome and invited to church and other fun places with them, especially picnics. The house was always filled with music and baking.
In 1969/70 after her heart was moved by what she saw as a nurse with her own eyes, Adella helped launch the pro-life movement in Washington state. She called Pat Boone, and he agreed to be a spokesperson, and Adella created the first logo for Voice for the Unborn, which was used for many years.
Adella and Alden found joy in opening their home to everyone, especially entertaining friends and family, hosting dinners, games and travelers. That slowed after a car wreck caused by an oncoming driver left Adella with permanent injuries, battling constant pain, unable to return to full-time nursing. But as a true fighter and creative spirit, she bubbled up in other areas. She became a highly respected piano teacher and accompanist who loved her students. She cared for people as a Steven’s Minister and Volunteer Chaplain. She earned a BA in English from SPU. As she was always on the cutting edge of new things, Adella was thrilled to get a Compaq computer; she became quite adept, teaching herself to code and use HTML, building and maintaining many websites for companies, ministries and friends. Adella continued to use her musical gifts throughout her life, serving as church pianist/organist for Kent Covenant for over 35 years and organist for Renton Lutheran. She became a Parish Nurse and helped plant Cedarcreek Covenant church. Above all, she was thrilled to spend time with her grandsons, family and friends, and poured her hospitality into hosting family reunions at their beloved family beach house in Manzanita, one of the greatest joys of her life. She cherished calling and texting with life-long friends and was a prayer warrior for many people.
In later years, post-polio took its toll, and Adella developed pulmonary fibrosis. She took her last breath and went home to be with Jesus on May 8, 2025. She is survived by daughters Cherlyn Johnson (Rev. Dr. David) and Charise Olson, grandsons Christian Johnson and Ethan Renstrom, sister Novella Larsen, sister-in-law Bernice Hansen, & many dearly loved nephews & nieces.