Love and support for Jon and his family

It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Kathy Oleson. On April 8th, 2023, Jon’s mom, Kathy Oleson, loving wife, friend, devoted Mother of three and Grandmother of five, passed away at the age of 70.

Many of the people in Jon’s life were blessed to know Kathy well. She would visit Jon in California often and would hang with his friends like one of the crew. Easy to get along with and up for an adventure, Kathy was always a pleasure to have around. Many of us can imagine Kathy in the kitchen baking away until the early hours of the morning. Always moving and cleaning, playing with her grandchildren, hiking, swimming in the river, gardening, sewing or cooking…Kathy was a bright light and lived her life to the fullest, she is an inspiration to us all.

We will always remember Kathy’s immense generosity, especially through the little sweet treats she happily gave away. Many of us got to delight in a jar of her delicious jam or salsa or one of her decadent pieces of German Chocolate cake. She always cared, she asked questions, listened, and checked in. Kathy was like a mother to all and we will miss her dearly.

If you were around Jon often, you’d soon realize he talked to his mom almost daily and that they shared a deep bond and friendship. We all cherish the qualities we love in Jon; his love for hosting, cooking and gathering, gardening, his devotion as a parent, and the way he shows up for community and friends. These qualities are a direct result of Kathy’s remarkable mothering, her presence, and her spiritual journey, all of which shine brightly through Jon.

It is immensely sad and heartbreaking for the world to feel Kathy's absence. All of us who knew her are blessed and we will continue to remember Kathy's beautiful spirit and share her story.

As some of you may know, Jon is moving to Minnesota. He is currently in the midst of this transition. Only a few days ago, Jon completed the arduous task of packing up his house as well as securing a new home. On top of all this, he is transitioning careers. This time in Jon's life has been overwhelming and difficult and is now even more so while continuing in grief.

I am writing today, to warmly ask you to contribute to their cause. All donations received will help Jon pay his imminent travel costs, most importantly, the numerous flights involved to get his two children from Minnesota to Utah for the memorial service. They will also go towards gas, impending bills, food, childcare and more. Essentially, all donations received will help give Jon and his family the financial stability they need to navigate through this difficult time. They will give Jon a safe space to properly process, adjust and grieve.

If you are unable to donate, please consider other ways to support Jon. You can provide a meal, especially if you are in Salt Lake City. Perhaps you can help Jon with the various tasks he has to complete for his move. Or, simply sharing this campaign with your community will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter…and thank you for your support - we are blessed to have a wonderful community filled with beautiful folks like yourself.

We Love You All

Blessings,

On behalf of Jon, Sünna, and Bjorn

Their loving and devoted friend,

Amy