Eileen Olson Sunstrom

Eileen Dorothy Olson Sunstrom passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2016, in Appleton, Wisconsin at the age of 67. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Arlene (Finsterwalter) Olson, and her brothers Raymond Olson, Donald Olson, and sisters Mary Olson and Irene Olson. Eileen is survived by her husband, Robert Sunstrom, her children Jennifer Sunstrom, Sheila (Bradley) Sunstrom Steinhoff, Scott Sunstrom, her brothers Richard Olson of Menominee, Michigan and Robert Olson of Henderson, Nevada, and her grandchildren Sylvia, Audrey, and Natalie Steinhoff.

Eileen was born January 6, 1949 in Menominee, Michigan and was a 1966 graduate of Menominee High School. After graduation she lived for a period of time in Alaska, New Orleans, Washington, DC, and Colorado before returning to Menominee. She enjoyed her administrative work at Marinette Marine and met her future husband Rob Sunstrom while there. Eileen and Rob married in September of 1979 and after several years in Menominee, Michigan, they settled in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1991. Eileen held several administrative positions over the years, but her final position as Program Coordinator with the Boy Scouts of America was her favorite and most rewarding. Eileen believed strongly in the mission of the Boy Scouts and found great joy in working for that organization. She was a longtime member in the PEO sisterhood, had fun being a Girl Scout brownie leader, and was an active member of St. Pius Church in Appleton. Eileen's faith was a tremendous source of strength and guidance for her and was the basis for how she lived her life. God's love for her overflowed into everything she did.

Eileen devoted her life to the loving care of her family. She loved to travel and enjoyed a glorious trip to explore the National parks of the great American west in 2015. She was an avid gardener and had a real gift for making things grow. She loved and appreciated every living thing, seeing them as part of God's creation. She was a serious Green Bay Packer fan and enjoyed many games at Lambeau Field. She loved her husband and children and grandchildren, and spoke of her love of and gratitude for them to her very last days. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her gentleness and grace and generosity.

The funeral liturgy for Eileen will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W. Marquette Street in Appleton, with Fr. Thomas Farrell officiating. Interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Menominee, Michigan. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Thursday morning rom 9:30 AM until the time of the services.

The family requests that any donations made in Eileen's name be made to the ALS Association of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Right to Life, Boy Scouts of Wisconsin, or Children, International.