Ila May P. Olson

Ila May Olson, nee Ila May Pearl Grace, passed away in her sleep on 17 February 2016, just days after her 88th birthday. Ila May was born in Wallowa, Oregon on 13 February 1928. She was the daughter of Pete and Hazel Grace, from Colorado and West Virginia respectively, who settled in the small town of Taft, California during the years of the Great Depression. Ila May graduated from Taft High School in 1945, where she was active in home-front WWII programs. Soon thereafter she married Ted Olson, a young airman who had come south from his native Alberta, Canada to join the US Army Air Corps. After Ted's discharge, they started their family in a small home in Taft near her parents. Ted worked as a lineman, and Ila May worked later in banking and real estate. The family moved to Bakersfield, California in 1957, where they lived for nearly 50 years. Ted eventually retired, and for many years Ila May managed and was executive secretary of the Kern County Trade Club. Ted passed away in 2005, and in 2011 Ila May moved to Sierra Hills, a senior living community in Porterville, California near her family. Ted and Ila May are survived by their three children: Ted Junior, Teri Olson, and Wendy Olson Jones; three grandchildren: Ricky Jones, Kaylee Jones, and Fenny Olson Evers; and five great grandchildren: Drew, Kaya and Madison Fitzgerald, and Reagan and Janie Evers. The extended family includes daughter-in-law Astried Olson, son-in-law Rick Jones, and grandson-in-law Reese Evers. A private graveside service will be held at Westside District Cemetery in Taft, California on Friday, 26 February 2016 at 11:00 AM. Ila May will be laid to rest beside her husband Ted and near her parents. In lieu of cards or flowers, please leave condolences and memories at legacy.com.

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