Leroy M. Olson

December 3, 1934 - January 17, 2017

With family by his side, Leroy Olson, 82, of Frankfort, Ill., died peacefully at his home on January 17, 2017. Leroy was born in Chicago on December 3, 1934, and graduated from Beecher (Ill.) High School in 1953. While in high school, he met Lena Bartolomei on a blind date at an ice skating rink. Leroy was smitten with the young Italian girl from Chicago Heights, and the two married on September 10, 1956. By then, he was deep into his studies at Illinois State University, where he also starred as a pitcher on the school’s championship baseball team.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Education, Leroy relocated to Frankfort, where he would live for the next 57 years. He started as an eighth-grade teacher and coach at Frankfort Grade School 157C in 1957 and was named superintendent of Frankfort District 157C in 1963. He oversaw the construction of two new schools prior to retiring in 1990.

Together, Leroy and Lena raised three children and doted on their eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He organized annual family trips to bring everyone together and took great pride in meticulously planning each days’ meals. He and Lena visited 42 states and three countries after his retirement. When he wasn’t on the road, Leroy was usually cooking, golfing or rooting for Chicago’s sports teams. He even came around to pull for the Cubs during their 2016 World Series run. Though he could be opinionated and unfiltered in any setting, Leroy was exceedingly generous and dedicated to his family.

Born the oldest of two sons to Roy and Lorraine Olson, Leroy was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Robert James Bossert III. He is survived by his wife, Lena; brother, Don (Karen) Olson; daughters, Tammy (Rick) Langosch and Kim (Bob) Bossert; son, Greg (Vanessa) Olson; grandchildren, Jenifer (Matt) Segal, Juli Langosch, Calley (Brad) Grogan, Jessica (Mike) Nowak, Mallory Olson, Lexie Olson, Cassie Bossert and Cooper Bossert; and great-grandchildren, Mikayela Billiot, Landon Nowak and Camden Grogan.

• The funeral service and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Leroy’s memory to the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 12 West Sauk Trail, Frankfort, Illinois, 60423. Arrangements by Gerardi Funeral Home, Frankfort, IL.