Lann Olson came into the world on Aug. 3, 1980, and he left on Oct. 14, 2023.
Despite Olson’s time being cut short, his impact as a friend, family member and local mental health care professional are being remembered in part through a new memorial fund.
“He had this very soft demeanor,” said Leann Reed, chief clinical officer at Cascade Community Healthcare, where Olson worked. “He was kind of this big guy, and yet he just had this natural way of being with people, to be able to have that open communication and build that trust and really help serve. He was very kind and generous and just an all around wonderful guy. It was a very difficult thing when he passed and was a shock to the team and a big loss to both Cascade and the community.”
Olson’s family wishes to keep details of his death private, but they’re speaking out about the impact he had on others while announcing the new fund to benefit causes he held dear.
According to Cascade CEO Richard Stride, Olson was beloved by everyone at Cascade.
“He was really loved by his team, and when I went over there to talk to them initially they were just so shocked,” Stride said. “He was really loved by the clients he came across as well.”
Olson worked with the crisis stabilization unit at Cascade Community Healthcare as an interventionist. Usually working nights, he would respond to calls, de-escalate situations when necessary and provide people in crisis situations with help and services. Being a part of the crisis stabilization team was a 24/7, 365 days a year kind of dedication that Olson unfailingly showed up for.
“He comes across as very gentle and very kind, and he has a way of calming people and not pushing them which is really important when people are in a crisis,” Stride said. “You don’t want to push them but you want to offer them help and services.”
Stride recalled a story that Olson’s team told him.
“Lann was going out and meeting someone, and this person said they didn't want to talk to him,” Stride recalled. “Lann said, ‘OK, I’ll go call someone else and go sit in the booth over there, and if you feel like you want to talk to me, then we’ll talk.’ So when he went over and sat in the other booth, the person kept looking over at Lann and then decided to talk to him.”
Stride continued: “He was just that type of person that people, when they heard him talk, had a tendency to calm down because he’s just a good person to talk to.”
In the wake of Olson’s abrupt death in October, his family reached out to the team at Cascade to set up a memorial fund in his name.
The memorial fund gives people who don’t have insurance or can’t get their needs met the opportunity to get the treatment they deserve.
“One of his passions was helping the underserved, was helping those that needed it,” Reed said.
Outside of his regular job, Olson continued to devote his life to the service of others. According to his mother, Dalene Olson, he spent his time outside of work as a physical trainer. After his death, many of his former trainees approached the family.
“They told us that he made a huge difference in their lives,” Dalene said.
Physicality and having an active lifestyle was a key aspect of Olson’s life. His passion for physical health was evident in his choice of profession and his decision to play football for not only W.F. West High School’s team, but also Western Washington University’s team where he was awarded three letters and played alongside his brother, Andy.
Along with loving to work out, Olson enjoyed gardening and working on his parents’ organic beef farm. According to his mother, he was incredibly kind, caring, funny, smart and would do anything for his family.
The team at Cascade Community Healthcare created a plaque in honor of Olson and to commemorate the memorial fund. A dedication ceremony was held where his family and colleagues were invited.
“The family was very thankful for that, but it was really our pleasure to have him work for us.” Stride said.
The Lann Olson Memorial Fund is now accepting donations, which will go on to benefit those in the community who cannot afford access to health care. Community members who are interested in donating can do so on site at Cascade Community Healthcare, which is located at 2428 Reynolds Ave. in Centralia. Donations can also be mailed and be accepted over the phone.
To view Olson’s obituary, visit www.chronline.com/stories/in-loving-memory-of-lann-olson,328684.
