Steven J. Olsen, 50, a longtime resident of Libertyville, IL, died on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004, as a result of a battle with cancer. One of five brothers, Steve grew up in LaGrange, IL and attended Lyons Townships High School. After earning a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, Steve enjoyed a successful career as a design engineer for the Motorola Corporation, where he obtained multiple patents for inventions that improved cellular telephone technology. Steve was one of the good guys. He was active as a coach and supportive parent in youth activities and sports in the Libertyville area. He will be fondly remembered as the coach of his daughter’s Libertyville Girls Soccer Association team. He was a model husband and father, a warm and reassuring presence, and an excellent cook. He will be missed by friends and surviving family members, his devoted wife of 21 years, artist Donna Sands; his sons, Alexander Olsen, age 14, a freshman at Libertyville High School; his daughter, Johanna Olsen, age 9, a student at Copeland Manor Elementary School; his mother, Laura Olsen of Fox Point, Wi; and his brothers, David of Mequon, WI, Edward of Charleston, IL, Norman of Chicago and Larry of Chicago. A private celebration of Steven’s life will be shared by friends and family in October at the Independence Grove Pavilion. The family requests that any contributions in Steve’s memory be made to the American Cancer Society or to a fund established for his children’s education, The Olsen Memorial Account c/o National City Bank, 325 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048. For more information please call Elegy Cremation and Memorial Services, 877-565-7070.
