Roger Olsen memorial service
Thursday, July 10th
Thursday, July 10, 2025, 1:00 pm
A SERVICE OF
WITNESS TO THE RESURRECTION
IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF
ROGER OLSEN
October 17, 1940 – June 29, 2025
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
–John 3:16 (NRSV)
Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church
4900 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
773-784-7091
CALL TO WORSHIP: Pastor Ryan
We have gathered here to worship God and bear witness to the resurrection as we celebrate the life of Roger Olsen. We come together in our grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, and in death resurrection.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last He will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)
INVOCATION
O God of grace and glory, we remember before You today our brother Roger Olsen. We thank You for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion of our pilgrimage. In Your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us Your help so we may see in death the gate to eternal life, that we may continue our course on earth in confidence until, by Your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before us; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
HYMN: # 8, “How Great Thou Art”
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Kim Olsen and Terri Olsen Psalm 23
GOSPEL READING: Tonya Riste John 3:16-17
EPISTLE READING: Steve Prang 1 John 3:1-3
SONG: “Thank You” by Ray Boltz
STORIES: Tom Olsen and Larry Hansen
HOMILY: John 14:1-6 Pastor Ryan
HYMN: #744, “Because He Lives”
BENEDICTION
Roger M. Olsen, 84; loving husband to Cindy (Riste). Cherished father of Timothy (Samantha), Tammy (John) Englund, Thomas (Kimberly), and Terri. Adored grandfather of Brian (Marina), Robert (Stephanie Gatsakos), Timothy II Olsen; Amanda (Jon) Beach, Erik (Kylee Hernandez), Jacob, John Englund; Jessica, Julia Olsen; and Keli Hatfield. Great-grandfather of Michael and Lily Olsen. Survived by siblings Phyllis Prang, Jeffery (Susan) Olsen, and Diane Olsen-Gaertner, along with many nephews, nieces, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his high-school sweetheart and wife of nearly 50 years, Joanne (Pearson) Olsen. Also preceded in death by sister Kathryn Olsen, nephew Douglas Prang, and Michael Hatfield.
Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery
9900 Gross Point Rd., Skokie, IL 60076
Memorial donations can be made to Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church in Roger Olsen’s name, where he was a lifelong servant.
Cindy Olsen
2826 W. Rascher Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625-3214