Stephani J Olson

Stephani J. Olson, age 61, of Lincoln, left her earthly home in Nebraska on February 2, 2025, to enter her eternal home with Jesus.

Stephani Jayne was born August 21, 1963 in Kearney, NE to parents Richard and Jeanie (Hofferber) Hauxwell. She was one of five siblings. The family made their home in McCook where Stephani graduated from McCook High School with the Class of 1981. While in high school, Stephani participated in theatre, band, and choir. Steph loved the theatre, proudly starring in the lead role in the musical “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” She also starred in “Grease” alongside her brother Mark and her friend Sandy Herrmann.

With her family, Stephani attended McCook Christian Church where she was baptized. Stephani loved to worship Jesus through old hymns and contemporary Christian music. Throughout her life, Stephani sought the fellowship of a church connection, most recently attending the First Free Church in Lincoln.

Following high school, Stephani continued her education by attending the University of Nebraska-Kearney, earning her B.A. in Business in 1986. While at UNK, Stephani was a proud member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Stephani’s pursuit of knowledge never ended. She attended the University of Denver College of Law before obtaining her Master of Science in Education – Instructional Technology in 2022. Stephani continued to earn credits beyond her Master’s degree. An avid reader, Steph was rarely found without a book in her hand or her purse. 

In 1996, Stephani married John Mackey in Lakewood, CO and later married Ron Olson in Estes Park, CO in 2007. She was a stepparent to Johnny, Brittany, Kimmy, Billy, Tyler, Tanya and Cale.

Over the years, Stephani demonstrated her love for learning, teens, and business law by teaching with excellence. She was employed as a business teacher by Deer Creek Middle School in Littleton, CO, Lakewood High School in Lakewood, CO, Washington High School in Red Cloud, NE and most recently, Lincoln Southeast High School in Lincoln, NE. She was also a substitute teacher at McCook Public Schools and Southwest Public Schools. Outside of the classroom, Stephani worked as the office manager for Hauxwell Pump and Supply in Indianola.

Running was one of Stephani’s favorite pastimes. She participated in many racing events, including the Bolder Boulder, the Lincoln Half Marathon, the Market to Market, the Slacker Half in Colorado, and the Lincoln Halfsy. She celebrated a first, second, and third place finish in her age group in the Lincoln Half Marathon through the years. Most of all, Steph loved her time spent encouraging cross country runners and sharing her passion for running with her siblings and friends. 

Steph loved her family passionately. She enjoyed travelling, especially when it involved the people and food she loved. Husker Athletics fed her competitive spirit and brought her joy!

Stephani was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Jay and Mildred Hauxwell, and her maternal grandparents, George and Maurine Hofferber.

Those left to celebrate her life include her parents, Rich and Jeanie Hauxwell of McCook, NE; siblings, Susie and Kevin Marks of Springfield, MO, Mark and Julie Hauxwell of Indianola, NE, Brent and Loretta Hauxwell of McCook, NE, Gregg and Danica Hauxwell of Otsego, MN; ten nieces and nephews, Tiffani, Lindsay, Marcus, Chloe, Kylee, Lexi, Rose, Izzy, William, and Clara; eight great nieces and nephews, Dylon, Kyler, Shayln, Koltyn, Declan, Harlan, Issac, and Mariah. Also surviving are extended family members, lifelong friends, and colleagues.

 Memorial contributions are suggested to the McCook Humane Society, PO Box 13, McCook, NE 69001 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

A Celebration of Steph’s life, a life full of love and adventure, will be held at 11am on Friday, February 28, 2025, at McCook Christian Church with Kyle Dellevoet officiating.

A family interment of ashes will take place at a later date.