1934–2024
June Dee Olson, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and lifelong member of the West End community, passed away peacefully at Forks Community Hospital on Nov. 29, 2024. Born October 8, 1934, in Port Angeles, June was the daughter of Ralph and Ada Schauer Pedersen.
June spent her childhood in company housing at Tyee before the family moved to a home on Beaver Hill. Growing up in a big, lively, and musical family, June and her brothers often performed at local events.
She attended school in Beaver and Forks, graduating in 1952 from Quillayute High School, where she was deeply involved in school activities. She performed in plays, sang in the chorus, twirled as a majorette, and was a cheerleader. After high school, she pursued business college in Seattle and later worked as a bookkeeper and at Forks State Bank.
In 1953, June’s life took two significant turns. She was crowned Forks’ Fourth of July Queen, a proud moment in her young life, and shortly after that, she met her future husband, Jack Olson. The couple married on November 27 that year, embarking on a beautiful partnership that would last decades.
June and Jack welcomed their first child, Christi, in December 1955, followed by Shelli in July 1958. Once both girls were in school, June began working at Lefler’s General Store, where her dedication to her family and home never wavered. She balanced her work with creating a warm, immaculate home and became known for her exceptional cooking—her fried rice was the best. The family grew again in March 1967 with the arrival of son Jack Brian.
Later June worked as a bookkeeper for the Vagabond Restaurant and also for her husband’s logging company Olson & Miller. In 1987, June’s passion for fashion led her and her daughters to open Rain Country Apparel and Gifts, first in the current Forks Forum building and later in downtown Forks in the former Olympic Pharmacy.
After retiring, June cherished life along the Sol Duc River near Sappho, hosting family gatherings and tending to her flowers. It was there she took up painting and gifted family members many of her creations. She was happiest surrounded by her loved ones, sharing meals and laughter. Health concerns brought her and Jack back to town in recent years.
June was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack; her parents; and her siblings, Betty Pedersen Bernier, Bill Pedersen, Patricia Pedersen, Richard Pedersen, Ronald Pedersen, and Helen Pedersen Carmichael.
She is survived by her children: Christi (Howard) Baron, Shelli (Jim) Leons, and Brian Olson; grandchildren: Lucas Larson (Becky), Amanda Larson (Brian), Cameron (Sassy) Leons, and Alexis Leons (Arianna); and her great-grandchildren, Blake and Haidynn Hinchen and Lily and Layton Leons, all of Forks. She also leaves behind her brothers, Robert Pedersen and Terry Pedersen, both of Port Angeles. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Marge Olson Dahll of Sequim, and lifelong friend Ann Petrovich Riggins of Missouri.
