When a young girl, Kate’s parents lived on board a boat in Seattle for several years before moving to Seabeck, WA and then settled in Bremerton, WA where Kate finished her public school training and college. She lived there until she and Don Olsen were married.
Kate went to Seattle and Bremerton public schools. She graduated from Bremerton High School in 1944. She attended Seattle Pacific College and graduated in 1949 with a bachelors degree in English Literature.
During her college days, Kate worked summers at Seabeck Christian Conference Grounds, Seabeck, WA where she met her future husband, Don Olsen. They were engaged and they married on Jan 7, 1950. They made their first home in Bremerton, WA and had their four children while living in that home. In 1956 Don & Kate moved to a small farm just outside Poulsbo, WA; here they raised their four children.
Kate enjoyed gardening. Kate was also actively involved in music ministry at Keyport Bible Church for many years. She directed the church choir and several youth group choirs there over the years.
A hobby Kate enjoyed for many years was whittling and wood carving. She carved many pieces over the years that were shared among family and friends.
Kate also enjoyed learning and playing music instruments. She played the accordion, guitar, mandolin, autoharp and violin. She took great pleasure in performing with other musicians for sing-alongs and amateur variety shows at the Evergreen Coho SKP RV Park in Chimacum where she lived for over twenty-five years. She and Don moved there in about 1997. Don preceded Kate, dying in 2004.
