Olivia Lakso

Olivia Lakso, 84, of Beach Park, IL passed away surrounded by her family on July 2, 2024 in Park Ridge, IL.

She was born on April 1, 1940 in Kenosha, WI the daughter of Earl and Marie (Woelbing) Drinkwine. Olivia married Robert Lakso on June 6, 1959, together they lived in various places for Robert's work including Milwaukee, Minneapolis, California, and Iowa, before residing in Beach Park. She attended William Rainey Harper college in 1990 and earned an Associates degree in Applied Science in Interior Design , which led her to work at stores creating store displays. Olivia also worked for the Zion Benton Township High School as a hall monitor. Her creativity continued on in gardening, planting flowers, and growing tomatoes. Most of all she took a huge obsession with sewing. She was an amazingly talented seamstress. Olivia immersed herself in the whole process. Selecting fabric and immersing herself in the colors and the textures, so much so, that she dedicated a whole room to her craft. One of the things she was proud of was learning about her genealogy and history of her family. Throughout her life she was politically active, dedicating time for causes she believed in and candidates she supported. Olivia believed strongly in every citizen participating in the electoral process and casting their vote. 

Olivia is survived by her husband, Robert Lakso; children, Michelle (nee Lakso) Wrobleski, Jon Lakso; grandchildren, Robert Wrobleski, Danielle Wrobleski, Jacob Kurtz, Samuel Kurtz, Justin Lakso, Brooke Lakso; two great-grandchildren; siblings, Gwen Berth, Clarence Drinkwine, and Sharon Michalak.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Yvette (nee Lakso) Kurtz; and parents Earl, and Marie Drinkwine. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024 from 10:00 until 11:30 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL 60099. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, IL 60099.