Carol Marie Olson

Carol Marie (Levenhagen) Olson, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on May 18, 2021 at the age of 77. Carol fought cancer with courage, grace and dignity. She built a beautiful life from every precious day, journaling to settle her mind and spirit.

Carol was the first-born daughter to the late Gordon and Grace (Mueller) Levenhagen of Mishicot, Wisconsin, on October 19, 1943. In 1961, she graduated from Mishicot High School. Carol earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Carol taught vocal music for three years in grade levels elementary through high school, in Menominee Falls and Mishicot, Wisconsin.

Carol enlisted in the Army and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in June of 1969. Her Basic Training took place at Fort McClellan, Alabama. She was assigned to the Provost Marshal’s office in Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Her first command position as a Captain was at Fort Hauchuca, Arizona. She rose to be the first WAC Commanding Officer assigned to an all male troop. Additional appointments followed in San Diego, California and Washington DC. Carol was Honorably Discharged in October 1975 as a Captain. Following retirement, Carol remained attached to the Army Reserves later retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. While at Fort Sheridan, Carol was introduced to Alfred Olson. They were married on March 29, 1975.

Carol loved her family and touched everyone she met with her warm, genuine engaging smile, and sense of humor. Carol was a very generous, intelligent, kindhearted, and loving soul. Her musical talents showed through as she elegantly played the piano and sang mezzo-soprano. Carol loved to sew and was a gifted seamstress. Her passions included cooking, baking and being innovative in the kitchen. She especially loved her flower and vegetable gardens as well as tending to her houseplants. She was kind to animals and cherished her cats Tippy and Coco.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Axel and Julia Olson, sisters-in-law Ruth (Richard) Grosse and Evelyn Olson, and step-granddaughter Kara.

She is survived by her husband, Alfred Olson, and three siblings; Linda (Eugene) Turnquist, Leon (Mary) Levenhagen, and Nancy (Robert) Zancig. Stepchildren include Lynn (Tim) Olson, Steve (Nola) Olson, Lori (Dan) Beaton and Lisa (Dean) Bolt. Five nephews, four nieces, eleven step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren also survive.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.