Florence Olson

Florence Jeanette Olson, the daughter of Andrew and Carrie (Olson) Peterson, was born August 28, 1913 on a farm north of Granite Falls. Florence was raised in the Granite Falls area on the Peterson Dairy Farm. She and her family attended Sparta Baptist Church and she attended East Granite Falls School completing the 8th grade. Florence worked as a hired girl and also helped out on the family farm. On September 11, 1935, Florence was united in marriage to Joseph Olson in Granite Falls. They lived in the Asbury area before moving to Granite Falls in 1943. Florence and Joe cared for many foster children including two brothers Bill and Jim Virkus whom they raised as their own sons.Florence worked as a nursing assistant at the Riverside Sanitorium for several years, and later at the Granite Falls Hospital for 20 years. She enjoyed caring for the babies in the nursery and was known for her comforting back rubs.She enjoyed baking, reading and collecting several decades of the Granite Falls Tribune. Florence sewed over 60 baby quilts and gave them to family and friends. She loved to entertain with her readings at bridal showers and enjoyed spending time at the lake with her sister Martha. Florence planned and organized many family reunions and served watermelon in her favorite ?watermelon shirt?. She was very proud to have received her GED diploma at the age of 75.She loved the Lord and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Granite Falls. Florence has made the Granite Falls Manor her home since 1998 and was a member of the Royal Neighbors and the Manor Red Hat Ladies. Florence is survived by her grandchildren: Cindy (Steve) Taylor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Jon (Vicki) Virkus of Valley Springs, South Dakota; Bill Virkus of Granite Falls; Jason (Laura) Virkus of Coon Rapids; great grandchildren: Nicole, Misti, Leia, Kora, Michael, Joee, Jacqueline, William, Ethan, Peyton; great great grandchildren: Eleigh, Akira, Angle, Layla, Izayah; several nieces, nephews and extended families; special people Linda and Slim Harsin of Burke, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph in 1983; her parents; 4 brothers and 6 sisters.