IANETA “NETA” TE’O OLSON

WALKER- Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 29, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, Mo., for Ianeta “Neta” Te’o Olson, 68, a resident of Walker, who died peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2020, after a brief illness.

The obituary may be viewed and condolences left online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.

Survivors include four daughters, Dr. Mavis Alaimalo, Aiea Hawaii, Maryanne Elisara and husband Eli, Vailoatai, American Samoa, Jerrinette Trepanier and husband Joseph, Lewisville, Texas, Crystal Jenkins and husband Bill, Cape Fair; 14 grandchildren; five sisters; Punaotala Finau American Samoa, Avau Fa’aesea and Muliaiga Sapini. Nevada, Ele’elesa Te’o, Alaska and Tina Taylor, Missouri; seven brothers, Jimmy Fruean. New Zealand, Johnny Fruean, Alaska, Peni Te’o Sr. and Rev. Sapini Te’o, American Samoa, Kipeona Te’o, Hawaii, Malala Sapini, California and Toma Sapini, Nevada and several nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Tala’ave Leituala; a brother Rev. Mafoa Sapini Sr. and a son-in-law Dr. Ernest Alaimalo.

Mrs. Olson was born May 3, 1951, in Vailoatai, American Samoa, to Mr. and Mrs. Te’o Sapini and A’aifou Potoa’e Su’a.

She was a devoted mother and loving grandmother. She treasured her children but especially loved her role as Nana and embraced every moment with her grandchildren. She had a vivacious personality, always smiling and laughing and telling jokes. She was also known for her delicious baked goods, especially her banana breads and panipopo or coconut buns. She loved to cook and loved to eat. She also loved to sew, crochet, play bingo and gardening.

Prior to leaving American Samoa in 2018 to spend time with her daughters and grandchildren stateside, she was an active member of the Vailoatai Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa. She served as a church deacon under the guidance of her spiritual parents, Reverend Faletoi and Violina Uso. She was also a diligent member of the Church Women’s Fellowship Group and the Church Development Committee. She was a God-fearing woman who loved her church, loved her family, loved life and she lived it to the fullest!