Patricia Helen “Patsy” (McCarvel) Olsen was born September 1, 1946, in Anaconda, Mont., to Thomas Joseph and Margaret Loretta (Ridge) McCarvel. She passed away on September 24, 2026, in the presence of family in Madison, Wis. She graduated from Anaconda Senior High in 1964 and became a registered nurse, graduating from Columbus School of Nursing in Great Falls, Mont., in 1967.

Patsy moved to Maui, Hawaii, in 1969 to work as a registered nurse. Upon her return to Montana, she married Donald Lee Olsen (Charlo, Mont.) on August 21, 1971 (div. 2001) and worked at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Mont. The family moved to Vancouver, Wash., in 1987. She continued to work as a registered nurse and nursing supervisor. Patsy was a devout Catholic and enjoyed her home, community and friends in Battle Ground, Wash., until 2022 when she moved to Madison, Wis., to be closer to family.

Patsy was a life-long learner (she took a computer class in 1987!). She read the paper daily and always had a book on hand. She had a deep love of travel. She relished the opportunity to travel locally (Cannon Beach, Ore., was one of her favorite spots) and globally with her children (Ireland, France, England, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Chile, Mexico and Brazil). She loved to host friends and family. Patsy was proud to be Irish and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family for many years.

Patsy will be remembered as a loving, devoted, and caring mother and grandmother to her family; a wonderful friend to many; and a committed caregiver to even more. Survivors include Patsy’s three children and six grandchildren: William and Tasha Olsen and their children, Ysabella and Zoe Olsen; Christie Olsen and Martin Zanni and their children, Owen and Claire Zanni; and Tricia Olsen and John Fowler and their children, Adeline and Wren Fowler. Her legacy lives on not just through her family, but through her deep belief in leaving the world better off than she found it - a belief that continues to shape each of their lives.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Joseph and Margaret Loretta (Ridge) McCarvel; siblings, Margaret, Katherine, Alice, Helen, Thomas (Bud), John (Jack), Patrick, Joseph, Joanne and Robert (Bobby); and grandson, Peace Joseph Olsen.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please tell your loved ones how much they mean to you and consider giving in her honor to The Washington State Parks Foundation: <https://waparks.org/>.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Patricia "Patsy" Helen Olsen

September 01, 1946 - September 24, 2026

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