Lauren Beth Hespen (Olson), 70, of West Columbia, SC and formerly of Crystal Lake, IL, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family following a brief but arduous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Lauren was born in Chicago, IL on father's day, June 15th, 1954 to Robert A. and Lorraine Q. Olson, the eldest of their five children. The product of a modest but most effervescent upbringing in the humble suburbs of Hoffman Estates and later Schaumburg, IL, she displayed a natural ability in the arts, math, and science. Bewildering to most, she would often request additional homework assignments from her math teachers, simply because she loved solving the equations. She went on to study at the University of Texas in Austin, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, acquiring two bachelor's degrees and a master's in archeology.
Poised to begin doctorate work in Jerusalem in dig sites focused on her favorite subjects of study, the australopithecines, cupid had other plans for Lauren in early 1986: while working in the women's department at the JCPenney's in Woodfield Mall, she was swept off her feet by a handsome and tenacious fur salesman from Detroit, by the name of Paul Hespen, who was there to oversee the first annual sale put on by his company at the retailer.
They were married in the spring of 1987 and spent the next 38 years embarking on a beautiful journey - not one of exotic locations as Lauren had been preparing, though no less fraught with perils, pitfalls, excitement, and reward: parenthood. Eager to build a family, Lauren and Paul had four children within five years, and by 1992 they were rooted in the town they would call home for the next three decades, Crystal Lake. Lauren embraced her role as full-time mother enthusiastically and without hesitation. Field trips, school plays, and sporting events were never missed. Through teamwork and dedication to one another, Lauren and Paul sought to encourage and enable their children's every passion and desire. Together, they ensured their children were never left wanting, and they ingrained gratitude and appreciation for that ability by example.
Much like her beloved parents, the only role Lauren was any more adept at playing than that of the parent was that of the grandparent. She has spent the last three and a half years utterly devoted to her grandchildren. The culmination of which was to finally retire to South Carolina where she, together with her husband Paul, moved in five doors down from her youngest son and his family, in order to be at her grandchildren's beck and call.
Lauren was the genuine article. No pretense, and only a hint of vanity, which she came by honestly - inherited from her mother. Her wit and her fluency in sarcasm was only matched by her intelligence, sympathy, and grace. She could be the comedian as easily as she would allow herself to be the punchline. Lauren's ability to make anyone feel at ease was unparalleled. Much like her aptitude for answering every Jeopardy question right while cooking dinner in the other room, or walking past the TV and, at a glance, solving the Wheel of Fortune puzzle with only three letters on the board. She was a true student of history and an undying patriot who believed in being proud of her country. Her strength of character and conviction was unmatched. Never swayed by popular opinion or peer pressure, if she loved something or someone, that was that...unless she later found out that they were a Democrat. She was all of the above, effortlessly.
Like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, we are all here and gone in an instant. But like that star, we have the opportunity to make an impression. The impression that Lauren has left on anyone who was lucky enough to encounter her is one that will be forever cherished. Lauren is gone too soon, but she's left behind an indelible mark on the night sky.
Lauren was preceded in death by her parents, Robert A. and Lorraine Q. Olson, and her brother Doug Olson. She is survived by her beloved husband Paul Hespen, her four children, Robert Hespen, Julia Hespen, Mark (Lindsey) Hespen, and Philip (Haley) Hespen, and cherished grandchildren, Kirby and Henry Hespen, and Ruby and Beck Griffard. She also leaves behind her siblings Chris (Kelly) Olson, Debbie (Chris) Ewert, and Mark (Victoria) Olson, sister-in-law Christina Gladieux Olson, 11 nieces and nephews, and dear, lifelong friend, Dodie Mazza.
A private celebration of Lauren's life will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to your local police and fire charities, preferred armed forces veterans charities, and/or the RNC - IYKYK.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 200 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169, (803) 999-5015.
