Mike and Vanessa Olson recently became new member of St. Mark and have offered this information as a way to get to know them a bit better.
Vanessa was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, England & moved to Seattle at 15 as her dad was contracted to work for Boeing. They were only going to stay for 6 months but it ended up being permanent! Mike grew up in Washington, mainly Seattle, Renton and Issaquah. Vanessa went to Seattle Pacific University to become an elementary school teacher.
After Vanessa and Mike married, they moved to Olympia where Mike worked for the State of Washington as an Information Security Analyst. Vanessa taught at Lakes Elementary school in Lacey for 4 years with fellow St. Mark member Margit Stakkestad. They then had their family. Vanessa stayed home with all four children & homeschooled each of them through the end of high school.
Rachel, their oldest daughter is a doctor & lives in Kirkland WA with her husband Erik & son Leif 10, and daughters Irene 8, & Rosemary 2 1/2. David lives in Kosovo with his wife Samara & 18-month-old son Daniel. David is in charge of logistics at NATO base Camp Bondsteel. Samuel works for the State of WA in Olympia & has two daughters, Skyler 13 & Laina 10. Youngest daughter Elizabeth lives in Texas & works for a dog rescue/transport.
Vanessa was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church of England, & later had full immersion baptism in the Foursquare Church. She was also an ordained lay reader in the Episcopal church. After church hopping for many years and as Mike is a Lutheran, they “decided that St. Mark is a great fit!”
Mike works out at the gym, plays basketball, and sings in the St. Mark Chancel Choir. Vanessa really enjoys “reading, sewing, crafts, travelling, & being with my grandchildren in my free time”. They also have cabin on Lake Tapps to enjoy
The Olsons joined St. Mark in October. Vanessa feels everyone at St. Mark has been very welcoming. She states, “The congregation is so warm & friendly! St. Mark is awesome & I love the music & choirs!” Mike adds that the St. Mark people have been “wonderful”!