SHABBONA — Kalah Jo (Olson) Bidstrup, 82, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at Prairie Crossing Nursing Home in Shabbona.
She was born in Rochelle on May 12, 1938 to Harland and Virginia (Thorpe) Olson.
Kalah graduated from Shabbona High School and attended Northern Illinois University. She was employed by her father at Shabbona Grain Company and then went to work for A.O. Smith Harvestore as a senior accountant, retiring in 2005.
She was a loyal member of The Order of the Eastern Star for 64 years in Shabbona/DeKalb.
Kalah was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her best friend and loving companion of 30 years, Jim Watson of DeKalb; five children, Tammy (Dan) Johnson of Waterman, Lesa (Bryant) Clanin of Paw Paw, Harland (Jane) Bidstrup of DeKalb, John (Lori) Bidstrup of Cortland and Greg Bidstrup of Rockford. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren, Kyle and Micky, Jay and Tiffany Johnson, Danessa (Brad) Iversen, Austin and Logan Clanin, and Emily, Anna and Jacob Bidstrup; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Conner, Harper Johnson, Walker and Evelyn Iversen.
Kalah is also survived by her special cousins, Karen Johnson and Christine Dolejs; sisters-in-law, Sally Olson, Laura Olson and JoAnne Sell, all of Arizona, Sue Bidstrup and Ken and Patti Bidstrup of Sycamore, and Marie Robinson of Florida; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister in infancy; and brothers, Ron Olson and Gary Olson.
Private family graveside services will be held at North Clinton Cemetery in Waterman.
A memorial has been established for The Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children.
Arrangements were completed by Jacobson Funeral Home in Shabbona.