Ann, Terry Olson selected as Grand Marshals

Each year, the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce selects individuals to serve as the Grand Marshals for the Ritzville Community Parade. These residents must embody the meaning of community, and possess attributes that help make Ritzville a desirable place to live.

Ann and Terry Olson were nominated for the role, and the Chamber Board unanimously agreed they were a natural fit for the position. The Olsons have been active members of the community and have volunteered countless hours to ensure a positive and healthy future for Ritzville.

The Olsons said they were honored to be selected as Grand Marshals. The timing of the nomination is also important, as the Olsons recently made the decision to travel throughout the United States in their RV, and will soon be moving from the community.

Terry’s family moved to the Ritzville community when he was about a year old. He graduated from Ritzville High School in 1962 and attended college until he was drafted.

He served in the Army from 1965-67 before moving to Spokane to study at Spokane Community College. He then took a job for Medical Services Corporation, and that is where he met Ann.

By then, Ann’s family had moved into the Ritzville community, and Terry and Ann would travel from Spokane to Ritzville together. Ann’s father managed the golf course for many years, and her mother served as the librarian at the Ritzville Public Library.

The couple was married in 1972, and recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Together the couple has two children and made the decision in 2000 that they wanted to move to Ritzville. They both enjoyed the atmosphere of the community, and it did not take long for them to become involved in community events and organizations.

Ann said they have always been natural volunteers, and it started when their kids were in school. When they moved to Ritzville, they would readily assist with projects and organizations in need.

“I would attend meetings and sign up to volunteer. And then I would go home and say, ‘Honey, I signed you up to help with…’” Ann said laughingly, as Terry nodded in agreement.

And that is how their involvement with volunteering continued throughout their 17 years in Ritzville. Ann would serve on the organization’s boards to help with planning, and Terry would assist with the hands on projects; making the perfect team.

Ann first began her volunteer service in Ritzville with the Historic Preservation Committee. She then continued on to serve on the boards for the Ritzville Museum Volunteers, Ritzville Festival’s Association, Adams County Development Council (ACDC), Ritzville Public Development Authority (RPDA), Wheat Land Communities’ Fair and Ritzville City Council.

She was also a founding member of the Ritzville Downtown Development Association and served on the precinct committee for the Adams County Republican Party.

Terry assisted with volunteer efforts for the same committees when needed, especially the Festival’s Association and the Museum Volunteers. He also managed the community pool, is a dedicated volunteer for local track meets like the Undeberg Invitational, and was an active member in the Ritzville Classic Car Club, as was Ann.

The Olsons said they volunteered as a way to keep busy and involved with their community. Ann said when they first moved to Ritzville, they wanted to volunteer as a way to meet people and to have a positive impact on the community.

“It was something to do, and we just wanted to help the community grow and be a better place,” Ann stated.

The experience has been rewarding for the couple, as their work has assisted them with not only meeting people from the community, but individuals from across the world who visit Ritzville.

They have also enjoyed watching the achievements of groups within the community, especially the youth successes at the fair and Undeberg Invitational.

“Terry loves Bronco sports. Once a Bronco, always a Bronco,” Ann said, and Terry agreed that is going to be one of the hardest things about leaving the community.

The Olsons had been considering taking the cross-country trip for many years, but kept postponing it for a variety of reasons. Ann joked the weather last winter pushed them over the edge, and they agreed it was time to find a warmer climate, especially in the winter months.

The couple are avid golfers, and they plan to stop at golf courses along the way, as well as visit historic landmarks and parks. They said there is so much throughout the country that they have not done, and they wanted to explore while they had the chance.

“We want to go while we can still find our way home,” Ann joked.

Ritzville will always be home to the Olsons, and they plan to return to the area in the spring next year. They joked Ritzville will be their permanent home one day, as they already purchased cemetery plots here.

The Olsons will lead the Ritzville Community Parade on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. Their mode of transportation is yet to be determined, as Ann wants to do something unconventional, but Terry thinks they should follow tradition and use a classic car.