Advertisement. Advertise with us

In Memoriam

Rita M. Olson

1932-2023

Rita M. Olson

PIERRE, SD—Rita Marie (Shipp) Olson, 91, of Pierre, South Dakota passed away October 19, 2023 with family by her side.

Rita was born in Paola, Kansas in 1932, the daughter of Glenn and Flossie DeMoss Shipp, joining an older sister Barbara. Fond childhood memories she shared included times spent with cousins at her grandparent’s farm near Paola. Stories of her teenage years often involved cruising town with her girlfriends in a Ford Model A rumble seat car, or helping prepare dinner when her parents were busy at the drugstore/soda shop where her father was a pharmacist. Rita graduated from Paola High School in 1950 and went on to the University of Kansas at Lawrence, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy in 1954.

You have reached your limit of 3 free articles

To Continue Reading

 

Our hard-copy and online publications cover the news of Otsego County by putting the community back into the newspaper. We are funded entirely by advertising and subscriptions. With your support, we continue to offer local, independent reporting that is not influenced by commercial or political ties.

Posted

Tags

Related Articles

In Memoriam: David Edward Bonhote

David Edward Bonhote, age 51, passed away suddenly on January 5, 2026 at home in Otego, New York. David was born on Long Island, the youngest son of Ellen M. Bonhote and the late Peter D. Bonhote.…
February 5, 2026

In Memoriam: James S. Bridger

James S. Bridger, a native of Cooperstown known by many as Foxy or Jim, passed away late Saturday morning, January 24, 2026, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown following a lengthy illness. He was 80. Born February 27, 1945 at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, Jim was the only child of Norman C. and Clara (Sprague) Bridger.…
February 2, 2026

In Memoriam: Walter E. Wart

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce the passing of Walter E. Wart, beloved husband, father, and dear friend. Walter E. Wart, 54, of Hartwick, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026 peacefully at home with his family at bedside.…
February 2, 2026

PUTTING THE COMMUNITY BACK INTO THE NEWSPAPER

For a limited time, new annual subscriptions to the hard copy of “The Freeman’s Journal” or “Hometown Oneonta” (which also includes unlimited access to AllOtsego.com), or digital-only access to AllOtsego.com, can also give back to one of their favorite Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice: Friends of the Feral-TNR, Super Heroes Humane Society, or Susquehanna Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 

Visit our “subscribe” page and select your charity of choice at checkout

SUBSCRIBE