Pamela Ellen Van Selus

Pamela Ellen (Olson) Van Selus passed away peacefully Saturday August 16, 2025. Born in 1951, the third child of four to her parents Doug & Judy (Engebretsen) Olson. The world will miss this servant teacher that nurtured over a thousand young minds to a higher standard of education and character. This began at a young age as a babysitter.

Pam, like many local teenagers, earned her way working in the strawberry fields and a vegetable cannery during summers before graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1969. She attended the University of Puget Sound, developing lifelong friendships, before completing her education at Washington State University, graduating in 1973. At WSU she met and charmed a fellow student into marriage soon after graduation. They were married 52 years.

In 1977 Pam founded Children's Corner Preschool, which she operated and taught at for 11 years. There she was known as Mrs. Pam to her students. Then she joined the Mount Vernon school district as a kindergarten teacher and eventually moved up to first grade. At Madison elementary, she authored the school spirit song. Every year Pam made a memory book of classroom activities for each student. Pam retired in 2020 after 32 years, never advancing beyond first grade.

After bearing two very healthy and energetic boys, Pam was able to complete the family she desired with the arrival of a daughter in 1990. That daughter now teaches first grade in the same classroom that Pam retired from.

Forever a member of Salem Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed, wed and continued to worship. The children and families of Salem were blessed with her care and nurturing as a Sunday school teacher and administrator. She also directed the church school children in annual Christmas plays. And contributed to church life in countless other ways.

Pam is survived by her siblings, Patsi (Bob) Hanseth, Steve (Jane) Olson and Gretchen (Kent) Haberly; husband, Gene Van Selus; children, Steven (Trisha), Kurt, and Katie (Jake) Rawls; and six precious grandchildren that will surely miss their "Nonnie."

A memorial service will be held September 20 at 2 pm at Salem Lutheran Church. Any memorials can be directed to Children of the Valley.

Some people, like flowers, make the world a better place just by being.