Arlys Olson

Arlys Mae Olson was born on October 22, 1933 in Milan, the daughter of Ole and Marie Lia. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan and attended country school. She graduated from Milan High School where she participated in numerous school activities, including band, in which, she played the coronet. After losing both of her parents by the age of twelve, she and her brother Milo were raised by their brother Palmer and his wife Delores. Arlys loved music, singing and dancing and had youthful aspirations of becoming a professional singer and dancer. After graduating from high school in 1951, Arlys moved to Montevideo and worked for the telephone office. She married Truman DeVries on October 4, 1953. After Truman served a short stint in the United States Army, they returned to Minnesota to farm the next twenty years with John and Nell DeVries seven miles north of Montevideo. Arlys and Truman had three children and were very active in the Methodist Church. Arlys was a member of the Harmony Homemakers, the Lydia Circle and was a leader in Sunnyside 4H. She also participated in women's softball, bowling league and the Montevideo women's golf league. Following a divorce in 1975, Arlys moved to the Twin Cities where she worked for the next 20 years for Farmer's Insurance Group. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and took in a variety of events in the Metro area with her good friend Betsy Richardson. Arlys retired in 1996 and returned to Montevideo. On November 14, 1998, she was united in marriage to Walter Olson. They enjoyed traveling, visiting grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending family reunions and playing cards with friends. After being widowed in December of 2008, Arlys took several trips with her three children and youngest grandson Isaac. In February of 2011, Arlys was treated to her lifelong dream of vacationing in Hawaii. On Friday January 11, 2013, Arlys slipped away peacefully at the St. Cloud Hospital while holding a wooden cross and lovingly surrounded by her children. She was 79 years of age. Arlys is survived by her children- Cindy (& Jeff) Burgess of Starbuck, Connie DeVries (& Greg Rude) of Montevideo, and Jan DeVries also of Montevideo; five grandchildren- Heidi (& Tony) Tydlacka of Hutchinson, Brianne Wolters of Hutchinson, Cassie (& Adam) Blair of Morris, Seth Burgess of Aurora, CO and Isaac Burgess of Starbuck; six great grandchildren- T.J. and Chase Tydlacka, Cameron Wolters, twins Jack & Eva Blair and Sophie Blair; two brothers- Palmer Lia of Milan and Milo (& Lois) Lia of Victoria; several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her step-children Brian Olson of Milan, Loren Olson of AZ, Rodney Olson of Milan, and Brenda (Olson) Jones of Montevideo & several step grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents- Ole & Marie Lia; her husband Walter; sister Clarice Bates; an infant brother; nephew Mark Lia; and sister-in-law Delores Lia.