Eleanor Nystrom Olin

Eleanor passed away in her sleep one day after her 62nd wedding anniversary. She was born in Sioux City, Iowa, the only child of J.W. “Bill” and Marcellite Nystrom. In 1951, the family moved to a farm in Elk Point, South Dakota where Eleanor graduated in 1960 from Elk Point High School. In her childhood, she spent most Sunday afternoons with her family’s Hiking Club friends - boating, swimming and picnicking in the summer and sledding and snowshoeing in the winter.

In 1960, she left the farm for Sioux City’s Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated second in her class with a RN degree. During her second year of nursing school, through mutual friends, she met Kendell Olin, and a romance blossomed. The two were married September 7, 1963 and would continue their life adventure together.

Children Wayne and Julie arrived in 1966 and 1968. The next 30 years involved many moves to various small towns in Iowa, Lincoln, Nebraska, and eventually Fort Worth, Texas. During this time, Eleanor worked in hospitals, clinics, schools and 14 years in Dr. Troutman’s allergy clinic in Fort Worth.

In 1996, both Eleanor and Kendell retired and moved to Sequim, Washington where they spent 26 years. Eleanor was active in Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church and PEO. She and Kendell also travelled extensively, including many trips to Sweden to visit ancestral sites. The family genealogist, Eleanor researched the family’s Swedish history back into the 1500s and spent yearly week long trips to Salt Lake City’s Family History Library. An avid knitter, the family treasures the dozens of socks she created for all of us.

Eleanor was a loving and doting “Mor Mor” to grandchildren Patrick, Joseph and Matthew. The boys spent many weekends in Sequim hiking, boating and crabbing and loving Eleanor’s hospitality, cooking and brownies.

In 2022, Eleanor and Kendell moved to Mercer Island, Washington to be closer to family. Parkinson’s disease took away much from Eleanor and the family is grateful to the staff at Nov AFH for their care and compassion.

Eleanor is survived by her loving husband Ken, son Wayne (Vaniece), daughter Julie Duffié (Ken) and grandsons Patrick, Joseph and Matthew. She is predeceased by both her parents.

Burial at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date in Mercer Island, Washington