George L. Olsen

George Lea Olsen, age 91, passed away peacefully at home in Lanham, Maryland on the evening of April 15, 2019. He was born to Mary Ethel Sanner and Harry Olsen Sr. in Washington, D.C. on October 31, 1927.  Much of his childhood was spent on the family farm in Waldorf. He graduated from LaPlata High School and enlisted in the Army. During his service of 21 years, his travels took him throughout the U. S., Germany, Kwajalein Island, Guam, Greenland, and Korea.

He was the eighth of nine siblings, all deceased: John Marthen Olsen, Mary Alice Garten, Elva Ruth Vernon, Walter Anderson Olsen, Anne (Anna-Helena) Andrick Stamper, Harry Olsen Jr., Margaret Virginia Olsen, and William Wise Olsen.

George is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Brunhilde J. Stuckert, of Allenstein, East Prussia. They met and were married in 1955 in Frankfurt, Germany. Their four children were born in the U.S. and overseas during their military travels.

Their children are: Danita Marie Nicholls and husband George of Sardinia, NY, Susan Anne Cook and husband James of Glenelg, MD, and Karen Jane Olsen and Robert James Olsen of Lanham, MD. He was the proud grandparent of Amanda Estes and husband Paul of Penfield, NY, Kaileen Nicholls of Pittsford, NY and Alexandra and Jennifer Cook of Glenelg, MD. On his last day with us, he was blessed to have had a visit from his great-grandchild, Melody Estes.

During his military years, he specialized in engineering, radar and missile tracking, and mastered a variety of other skills such as mechanics and welding. He was a Missile Air Defense Technician and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer after a distinguished military career. He was then employed with Bendix as an aerospace field engineer for NASA in Greenbelt, MD.

Among his hobbies were travel, photography, gardening, reading, and puzzles of all types. He was a fan of M.C. Escher, Poe, and Westerns. Skilled in carpentry, he built furniture, playhouses, and toys for his children and grandchildren. As a bowler, he won trophies and enjoyed playing baseball and watching football. He looked forward to the holidays, especially his Halloween birthday, when he could entertain the neighborhood with a variety of special effects. He was creative, inventive, and an avid reader who enjoyed sharing his knowledge and wit on a variety of topics.

Funeral services will take place April 26, 2019 from 10am to 12pm at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rt 3 South), Bowie, MD followed by interment at 1pm at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it would be appreciated if donations were made in George’s name to your preferred charity. Pax vobiscum (Peace be with you.)