Funeral services for Arlene I. Olson, age 80, of Albert Lea, were held at 10:30 a.m. today at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The Rev. Lee Freshour officiated. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation was one hour prior to the service.

Arlene died Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

Arlene Irene Olson was born Oct. 8, 1923, to Irven Ole and Irene Cordellia (Knuth) Reese in Lakota, Iowa. She lived in Lakota until age 12 and then Forest City before moving to Albert Lea at age 13 and attending Albert Lea Schools. On April 14, 1947, Arlene was united in marriage to Orville Olson in Sioux Falls, S.D. She was employed at Land O’Lakes for a number of years. Arlene had been a member of Grace Lutheran Church and the VFW Auxiliary. She loved life and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her children: Rodney Ray and his wife Rose Ann Olson of Albert Lea, and Julrene and her husband Don Thornberg of Welches, Ore.; grandchildren: Dustin Allen Olson, Travis Ray Olson, Jayson Barry Thornberg, and Heather Irene Yarnell; great-grandchildren: Abigail Olson, Nicolas Olson, Lillian Olson, Hunter Barry Thornberg, Jade Dawn Thornberg, Tyler James Yarnell, Emily Irene Yarnell and Caleb Lee Suchier Olson; and nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orville; son, Barry Allen Olson; and brothers: Orville Reese and Clarence Reese.