Clare Olson, 83, of Little Falls, passed away Monday, March 14, 2011, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Dave Sperstad officiating. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Visitation will be held Friday at the church from 9 a.m. until the hour of service.

Clare was born on April 25, 1927, in Myrtle, to the late Edward and Lillie (Wolff) Schallock. She grew up in the Myrtle area where she attended country school. While working at Munsingwear in Albert Lea she met a good looking mechanic named Don Olson. The couple was married on Aug. 2, 1950, in Albert Lea. The couple made their home in Albert Lea and then moved to Mason City, Iowa, St. Louis Park and finally to Little Falls in 1967. She continued working at Munsingwear in Little Falls until her retirement.

Clare was involved in the community and her church. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Little Falls, Martha Circle, quilting group, choir and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Her community involvement included food shelf, hospital auxiliary and was a member of VFW Auxiliary.

Hobbies she enjoyed included reading, cross stitch, bird watching and working in the garden. She especially enjoyed her family and playing with her grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 60 years, Don Olson of Little Falls; children: Tim (Cheryl) Olson of Little Falls, Joni (Chris) Larsen of Little Falls, Mark Olson of Sugarland, Texas, and Laurie (Donald) Moede of Wheatland, Wyo.; step-son, Mike (Deb) Olson of Hawaii; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Opal Schallock of Albert Lea. Clare was preceded in death by her parents; son, Steven Olson (1951); brother, Bill Schallock and nephew, Greg Schallock.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jack and Diane Grosso, Sue Gustner and Martha Circle.

Casket bearers will be Eric Larsen, Joey Hassler, Steven Hassler, Megan McDonald, Nicole Olson, Amanda Olson, Brent Olson, Ryan Olson and Kaitlin Olson.

Arrangements are with Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service of Little Falls.