Helen Olson
d. December 1, 2016
Helen Winnefred (Lauve) Olson was born June 7, 1923 in Granite Falls, Minnesota to Theodore and Gina (Swenson) Lauve. She grew up in Granite Falls and graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1941. Helen married Randolph Olson on January 27, 1946 at the United Lutheran Church in Granite Falls, MN. They were blessed with 8 children: Diane, Richard, Eugene, Carol, Julie, Gail, David and Ronald.
Helen and Randy spent most of their years in Granite Falls, with brief moves to Kerkhoven and Montevideo. Helen moved to Willmar in 1999 to be closer to family. She moved to the Rice Care Center in June of 2010, then moved to the Bethesda Heritage Nursing Home in September of 2010 and moved to the new Bethesda Grand in September 2016 where she passed away on December 1st at the age of 93.
While raising her family she also worked outside of the home as a baker, store clerk, manufacturing worker, and nursing home kitchen aide. She was a member of Granite Falls Lutheran Church, the church WELCA group, the VFW Auxiliary and was very active in the Senior Citizens Dining Center.
She loved to dance, play cards, read, listen to music and do jigsaw puzzles. Her passion was working on crossword puzzles, she was so skillful she could use a pen. Her eyesight eventually prevented her from being able to enjoy her puzzles and reading.
She was in inspiration to all with her kindness, faith and strength. She loved her family dearly and was always excited for visits and news from family and friends.
She is survived by her children Carol (DuWayne) Thein of Willmar, Julie (Mark) Leibfried of Ivanhoe, Gail (Scott) Olson of Mound, David (Rayetta) of Lubbock, TX, Ronald (Brenda) of Marshall; son-in-law Roy (Lois) Williams of Lake Benton; daughters-in-law Arla (Ivan) Stueckrath of Montevideo, and Margaret Olson of Dawson; 28 grandchildren/step-grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren/step great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Helen (Robert) Lerohl, Donna Olson, and Beverly (Ray) Frankenfield; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Randy in 1981, her son Dick in 1978, her son Gene in 1985, and her daughter Diane in 1990; great granddaughters Courtney Compary in 2010 and Kendra Leibfried in 2016; brothers Ervin, Stanley and Clayton; sisters Doris Taylor and Shirley McKinney.
Helen and Randy spent most of their years in Granite Falls, with brief moves to Kerkhoven and Montevideo. Helen moved to Willmar in 1999 to be closer to family. She moved to the Rice Care Center in June of 2010, then moved to the Bethesda Heritage Nursing Home in September of 2010 and moved to the new Bethesda Grand in September 2016 where she passed away on December 1st at the age of 93.
While raising her family she also worked outside of the home as a baker, store clerk, manufacturing worker, and nursing home kitchen aide. She was a member of Granite Falls Lutheran Church, the church WELCA group, the VFW Auxiliary and was very active in the Senior Citizens Dining Center.
She loved to dance, play cards, read, listen to music and do jigsaw puzzles. Her passion was working on crossword puzzles, she was so skillful she could use a pen. Her eyesight eventually prevented her from being able to enjoy her puzzles and reading.
She was in inspiration to all with her kindness, faith and strength. She loved her family dearly and was always excited for visits and news from family and friends.
She is survived by her children Carol (DuWayne) Thein of Willmar, Julie (Mark) Leibfried of Ivanhoe, Gail (Scott) Olson of Mound, David (Rayetta) of Lubbock, TX, Ronald (Brenda) of Marshall; son-in-law Roy (Lois) Williams of Lake Benton; daughters-in-law Arla (Ivan) Stueckrath of Montevideo, and Margaret Olson of Dawson; 28 grandchildren/step-grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren/step great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Helen (Robert) Lerohl, Donna Olson, and Beverly (Ray) Frankenfield; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Randy in 1981, her son Dick in 1978, her son Gene in 1985, and her daughter Diane in 1990; great granddaughters Courtney Compary in 2010 and Kendra Leibfried in 2016; brothers Ervin, Stanley and Clayton; sisters Doris Taylor and Shirley McKinney.
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