Olga Hanson Obituary

Olga (Olga Kacani) Folster Hanson
January 2, 1934
June 2, 2023

Olga passed away peacefully in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 2, 2023 at the age of 89. Olga was born in Ville St. Laurent, a suburb of Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January 2, 1934, to John Kacani and Mary Gruspier. Olga is survived by her sisters Ann Martin 92, Caroline Morecroft 75, brothers John Kacani 82 and Steve Kacani 79, her son John Hooton, daughter in law Cindy Hooton, her twin grandsons Chase and Evan Hooton and husband Richard "Swede" Hanson.
Olga's early years were spent in Ville St. Laurent and on the family farm in Cowansville, Quebec. At the age of 14 she moved to Montreal and worked as a live in housekeeper and childcare provider. In 1951, at the age of 17, while attending night classes at Sir George Williams University, she met John Charles Hooton and they married in 1952. Both worked at Canadair. In 1953 she had her only child, son John Charles Robert Hooton. In 1964 the family immigrated to the United States and lived in Pomona, California until 1967, when husband John's terminal illness prompted them to return to Canada. In 1970 Olga and her son, after John's graduating High School, moved back to Pomona, California, where Olga worked as an accountant at Sears and then Stang Hydronics in the Los Angeles area. In 1974 she married Peter Folster and they divorced in 1983.
In 1984 Olga moved to Colorado Springs and due to her hard work and business acumen successfully owned and operated several local businesses- the Dale Motel, Garden of the Gods Motel, The El Colorado Lodge and finally the Lamplighter mobile home park in Canon City before retiring in 2007. In 1994 Olga and her son John proudly became American citizens, attending a Naturalization Ceremony in Garden of The Gods. Olga enjoyed spending time with her twin grandsons and played a huge role in their early lives.
Of Czech and Slovak descent, Olga loved polka music and polka dancing and served as a member and board member of the International Polka Club, now known as the International Dance Club. She was also a member of the Czech/Slovak Dance Club for many years. Olga participated in demonstration dances across Colorado and neighboring states at fairs, festivals and school assemblies, presenting the authentic costumes and folk dances performed in the Czech/Slovak tradition.
In 2009 she met and married Richard "Swede" Hanson and they were involved together with the International Dance Club and the Al Kaly Shriners Club, where Swede has been an active member for many years.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service with refreshments and light snacks will be held for Olga at Stargazers Theatre in Colorado Springs on Saturday, July 29 from 1-3 PM.
Donations to The International Dance Club and The Shriners Children's Fund are welcomed to honor Olga's memory.