Jennifer Lea Dohl, age 57, of Chicago, Illinois, died on May 17, 2022.
She was born on October 6, 1964, in Lincoln, Kansas, the daughter of
Herman and Arlene (Blase) Dohl.
She attended Bethlehem Lutheran Grade School in Sylvan Grove, KS,
and graduated from Sylvan Unified High School in 1982. She attended
Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, and graduated with a BA degree in
English Literature. In 1988, she went to work as a graduate assistant at
Kansas State University, in Manhattan, KS, and studied Theatre
Performance.
Jennifer met her future husband, Donald Olsen, while at K-State.
They were married on February 2, 2002 (02-02-02) at Emmaus Lutheran
Church in Bonner Springs, KS, during an epic ice storm. However, their
marriage was always warm. They celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary
on February 2, 2022 (02-02-22).
Jennifer worked for 27 years at a toy invention company in Chicago,
IL. She was the office manager and served in many capacities. Jennifer
enjoyed cooking and the entire family delighted in the wonderful parties
she and Don hosted on their trips to Sylvan Grove. Events were always
filled with good food, fellowship and a wide variety of their current
favorite beers. They had a shared passion for motorcycle riding and went
on numerous road trips. They put many miles on their Harley Davidson in
the USA and also rode in Canada and Italy. They loved to travel and
took several trips to Europe and a trip to Hawaii. Neither of them ever
met a stranger and they made friends quickly in the pubs and bars they
visited while traveling. Jennifer had a very generous spirit. Whether
she was treating the nieces and nephews to the latest toys or the latest
fashions, they always looked forward to her gifts. Jennifer especially
enjoyed reading and always had boxes of books to lend or give to family
and friends.
In July of 2021, Jennifer became ill with cancer. Despite a
courageous fight, the cancer quickly overtook her body and life. After a
brief period on hospice in Chicago, she traveled to Sylvan Grove for
her remaining days. Don and Jennifer’s family thank Solomon Valley
Hospice, Beloit, KS, for their compassionate care of Jennifer. Jennifer
died in the family farmhouse surrounded by her loving husband, her
family and closest friends.
Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Arlene
Dohl; infant sister, Erica Dohl; and older brother, Arthur Dohl;
father-in-law, Fred D. Olsen; and Don’s half siblings, Mike Albright and
Gay Cole.
Jennifer is survived by her husband, Donald Olsen, of Chicago, IL;
mother-in-law, Betty Olsen, of Rehoboth Beach, DE; Gerald (Barbara)
Howard of Rehoboth Beach, DE; and Doris Duvall of Millsboro, DE.
Sisters, Marjorie (Alfred) Aufdemberge of Lincoln, KS; Mary Dohl of
Wichita, KS; Lorelei Dohl of Sylvan Grove, KS; brother, Edward Dohl of
Sylvan Grove, KS; sister-in-law, Justine Dohl, of Sylvan Grove, KS.
Also, nieces and nephews: Christopher (Kristi) Dohl of Netawaka, KS;
Jason (Anne) Dohl of Sylvan Grove, KS; Chesley Dohl of San Diego, CA;
Lyle Dohl of Los Angeles, CA; Madelyn (Devin) Henderson of Shawnee, KS;
Esther (Eric) Spooner of Kansas City, MO; Megan (Charlie) Huehl of
Sylvan Grove, KS; Ian (Alicia) Dohl of Russell, KS; Cedric (Bethany)
Schofield of Kansas City, MO; Sophia Schofield of Sylvan Grove, KS;
Genevieve Schofield of Kansas City, MO; Broderick Schofield of Kansas
City, MO; Adelyn, Brayden, Felicity and Caitlyn Dohl of Sylvan Grove,
KS; and Michael (Shannon) Ulrich of Senoia, GA. Also, great nieces and
nephews: Braden, Kylie and Brantley Dohl; Valden, Vance and Tevis Dohl;
Claire, Charlotte, Cambry, Elsie, Eva, Emmaus and Haven Henderson;
Elizabeth Spooner; Codie and Cael Huehl; Kamryn and Krew Dohl. And she
leaves behind extended family and many dear friends, including Kelli
Wondra and Mike Spicer.
Click HERE for service details.