Celebration of life is being planned in Bend, Oregon for 2001 Luther graduate Johanna Olson

A celebration of life is being organized in Bend, Oregon to honor former Luther College cross country and track star Johanna Olson.

Olson died Thursday, January3rd, in Oregon at the age of 33, surrounded by family and friends.

Johanna was first diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 18--in the fall of her freshman year, one week after finishing second at the IIAC championships and leading her team to a title.

After missing her sophomore cross country season due to a re-growth of the tumor and daily radiation treatments at the Mayo Clinic, Johanna began one of the most notable comebacks to running ever achieved by a collegiate athlete.In her second full season as a cross country runner, Johanna led her team to another conference championship and ended her season as an All-American leading her team to a 15th place finish at the National Championships. In the spring of2001, Johanna was presented the prestigious Honda Inspiration Award, the Lutheran Brotherhood Athlete of the Year, and the Mondo National Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year awards.

The brain tumor went into remission—until 2009.  A brain scan showed what doctors had long predicted would happen--the tumor had returned.  It prompted a second surgery, plus time recuperating in Minnesota.  Then Johanna decided to move to Bend in2010, taking a job in Central Oregon Community College's Exercise Physiology Lab. She immediately connected ith other runners in the Bend area.

Olson also began running again.  Last October, she completed the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis.  She received word that a drug had succeeded in keeping her tumor in check.  Unfortunately, that did not remain the case, and the tumor returned stronger than ever.

In an interview with the Bend Bulletin last fall, Johanna closed with one thought, saying "I just want people to realize they're so lucky--and to be grateful."