Olivia Olson

Life History for Olivia Olson
Olivia Olson, age 92 of Osakis passed away on Sunday evening, November 29, 2009 at the Community Memorial Home in Osakis, MN where she was a resident.
Olivia Mary Dueker was born on April 16, 1917 in West Union, MN to Henry and Josapha (Gruending) Dueker. On September 18, 1937 Olivia was married to Clarence Olson at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union, MN. They farmed for 7 years in Gordon Township before buying and operating Olson's Cafe. Olivia also ran a laundry business from her home for area families. In 1959 the Olson's started the Sandy Beach Resort on Lake Osakis. During the winter months, Olivia attended school in Duluth and received her certificate as an assistant Occupational Therapist. For twelve years she worked at the Kinney Institute in Minneapolis. Upon her return to the Osakis area, Olivia worked at the Community Memorial Home for eight more years in Occupational Therapy and also in the activity department. She retired in 1984.
Olivia was a member of the Immaculate Conception parish and belonged to the Christian Mothers and the St. Elizabeth Mission group. She was also a member of the Community Memorial Home Auxilliary.
Some of her interests included woodworking, building beautiful projects as large as a grandfather clock. She was very artistic and liked to paint and do various crafts. She was an avid sports fan who especially enjoyed watching baseball and football. She loved the water, whether it was traveling on large cruise ships or just riding around Lake Osakis. Olivia was a loving mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Gerald 'Jerry' (Joan) Olson of Osakis, Janet (Lester) Fortune of Fairbanks, AK and Mary (Mike) Gillespie of Osakis; 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her son, Gary Olson and a grandson, Steven Olson; 5 brothers and 9 sisters.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 10:30 am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osakis with Fr. David Petron officiating. Musicians are Charmaine Harmann and the funeral choir. Lector is Julie Kulzer. Giftbearers are her great grandchildren. Interment is at the St. Alexius Cemetery in West Union with honorary pallbearers Doris Harth, Jim & Betty Ellis, Geraldine Irwin, Everett & Shirley Anderson, Doris Vangstad, Ruby Maus, Sylvia Johnson and the members of the Christian Mothers Confraternity. Active pallbearers are Jon Olson, Jack Vangstad, Rick & Kirby Harth, Dennis Maus and Mike Kulzer.
Arrangements were handled by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home, Osakis