On the morning of Dec 10th, 2019 in Olympia, Washington, CJ Olsen (Carol Buehler-Shepherd) went to be with the Lord after a 4-year battle with cancer. She was 74 years old.

CJ was born in Mt Vernon, MO to Leo and Virginia Buehler. At Mt Vernon High School she was a drum majorette and social butterfly.  She was married at age 19, and moved to Monett, MO. Over the course of 2 decades, she raised 5 kids that were her pride and joy. In 1992, CJ and her youngest daughter, Lindsay made their new home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and remained there for the next 22 years. CJ had several career changes but her final job before retirement was working for Community Care College in Tulsa, OK as a successful student recruiter.

In October 2015, CJ met her angel and best friend, Chris Olsen. CJ sold her home in Broken Arrow and moved to Washington in November 2016. They were married January 27th, 2017 in a private ceremony at Saint Michael Parish in Olympia.

Chris and CJ experienced new adventures together including driving across the United States, riding bikes, playing penny slots, laughing, and taking in the beauty of the Pacific NW. Chris was by her side till the last minute as her loving husband and caregiver.

CJ enjoyed her life to the fullest. She had a love for music. She shared her love through her talents including playing piano and organ for St Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett, MO, and also as a member of Sweet Adelines, a female acapella singing group. CJ always had a perfect spring and summer yard. Her favorite hobby was playing in the dirt. She did it all- mowing, landscaping, and planting flowers. In the winter, you wouldn't want to miss driving by her house to see the stunning Christmas decorations she had built and displayed beautifully.

CJ had a passion for life. She was an amazing Nana to her 11 grand kids and an amazing mother.  She raised 5 independent and successful kids that she loved to brag about.  No one was a stranger to CJ, she would talk to anyone and make a friend.  If you were sick, she would nurse you back to health. If you were cold, she would cover you up. If you were hungry, she'd make sure you were fed.

CJ is survived by her husband Chris Olsen of Olympia, WA. Her children: Greg (Felicia) Shepherd Tampa, FL, David (Jen) Shepherd of Wilmington, NC, Jennifer (Jason) Keller of Skiatook, OK, Angela Birmingham of Springfield, MO, Lindsay Shepherd of San Marcos, CA. Her grandchildren: Brooke and Whitney Shepherd, Morgan and Jack Shepherd, Dylan and Anna Whaley, Isabel Bearden and Sophia and Joe Birmingham, Kelton and Shepherd Keller. Her siblings: Edwin Buehler, Rita Turner-Dobson. And several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, MO on Saturday, January 18 ^th , 2020 at 10:00 am.