Evelyn Olson

Evelyn Rose Olson lived her life in service to others and finally wore out from all that giving on January 18, 2013. She was 88 at her time of death at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. Evelyn was born on September 4, 1924 in Foley, Minnesota to Bartholomew and Katherine Ackerman. She was a fourth generation Minnesotan, descended from German immigrant farmers. She grew up on farms in the Foley area with her six brothers and sisters, including her twin sister, Eleanor. At age 15, she left home to help support her family and moved to Minneapolis. She worked throughout World War II in factories sewing soldier uniforms and making airplane motor parts. Later she worked as a waitress and at cleaning homes. In 1947 she met Arvin Leroy Olson from Twin Valley. On April 3, 1948, they were married and began their 64 years together. Their first son, Regie Alan, was born in May of 1950. However, 10 months later their son died unexpectedly, causing them their hardest days of their lives. In June 1952 Ricky Lynn was born and then Sheryl Diane in January 1954. A devoted mom, Evelyn raised her kids at home, in addition to caring for other children and taking in ironing. She was active in their church, including serving as a Sunday School teacher, superintendent and council member. She also worked in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts when her children were active in the organizations and volunteered in the schools. Evelyn also took care of her family when Arvin was gone on most weekends playing in a dance band for 25 years. In 1968, she began work at Sheltering Arms, a school for disabled children. In her words, that job was the most fulfilling of her working career, coming as close as she could to her dream of becoming a nurse. During these years, she was active in the VFW, where she served as Auxiliary President from 1984-85. In-between, she became famous for sewing countless quilts and lap robes for nursing home residents, veterans, and mission work. Evelyn worked at Sheltering Arms until 1983 when the school closed. During this period of her life, Evelyn and Arvin celebrated their 25th anniversary with a trip to Hawaii, where Arvin was stationed during the war. They would later return to Hawaii with their entire family for their 50th anniversary. A new chapter in Evelyn and Arvin’s life began in 1984 with the birth of their first granddaughter, Lilly Katherine Olson Motl, named after their parents. In 1986, their second granddaughter, Hannah Elizabeth Olson Motl was born. Evelyn immediately began filling her granddaughters’ lives with doll clothes, dress-up clothes, quilts, and holiday decorations. After a few years of retirement, Arvin and Evelyn decided to move back to his family home of Twin Valley. They first moved to his family home in Heiberg, and then in 1986 built a home in Twin Valley. During these years of their lives, they enjoyed spending winters in Arizona and having a trailer house and boat on Twin Lakes. In-between fishing and activities with their Minnesota and Arizona friends, Evelyn continued her life of service to her church, community, the Twin Valley Living Center, and the American Legion. After several years in their home in Twin Valley, Arvin and Evelyn moved into the Lincoln Terrace and later to the Normandy. In the fall of 2010, they moved to the Twin Valley Living Center where she lived until her death. Evelyn is survived her children Rick Olson and Sheryl Olson; beloved daughter-in-law, Sharon Olson; and grandchildren Lilly Olson Motl and Hannah Olson Motl; brothers, Adrian (Kati) Ackerman and Kenneth (Mary) Ackerman. She was preceded in death by her parents, first born son Regie Alan, her husband, Arvin Olson, sisters Marion Bauer and Eleanor McCoy, brothers Duane and Gilbert Ackerman, and many of her in-laws and friends. As a young girl, Evelyn learned to dance while herding cattle with her brothers along the ditches of central Minnesota. After years of suffering from arthritis, it has been reported that Evelyn is once again dancing, this time, along streets of gold with her Savior. Funeral Services were held on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 10:30 AM in the Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the Twin Valley Living Center on Monday. Officiating was Pastor Kelly Ahola with Monica Winter and Karen Bergstrom providing special music. Pallbearers were Sheryl Olson, Rick Olson and Dennis Thorson. A family graveside service was also held on April 3rd, 2013 in honor of Arvin and Evelyn’s 65th wedding anniversary. Memorials may be sent to the Twin Valley Living Center, Zion Lutheran Church or Memorial Gardens Cemetery Fund.

Evelyn Olson

September 4, 1924 - January 18, 2013