Jeanette Olson, 1922-2015
Published 10:22 am Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Funeral services for Jeanette Louise Olson of Minneapolis, formerly of Albert Lea, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery in Albert Lea.
Jeanette died Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, at Bethany Care Center in northeast Minneapolis. She was 92.
Jeanette was born Feb. 1, 1922, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Henry and Betsy (Nelson) Hansen. She graduated from Albert Lea High School and was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. On Nov. 25, 1943, she was united in marriage to Oran S. (Ole) Olson at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.
Jeanette spent most of her life as a resident of Albert Lea, but moved to Minneapolis in 2010 to be closer to her family. She was an active member of First Lutheran and Grace Lutheran churches, teaching Sunday school, playing piano for choirs and serving in various church circles. She graduated from Albert Lea High School and attended the Minnesota School of Business and Waldorf College. She had been employed by Wilson & Co. and Freeborn-Mower Rural Electric Association.
Jeanette was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Albert Lea BPO of Does, the American Legion Auxiliary and was a charter member of the Eternal Youth Club.
She was an accomplished piano player and especially enjoyed playing for St. John’s Lutheran Community, Thorne Crest Retirement Community, Sons of Norway and her friends and family. She also enjoyed participating in less formal groups including Supper Bunch, birthday club, bridge club, The Mall Walkers and The Rusty Hinges.
Her love of animals was unsurpassed and she was very proud of her Danish and Norwegian heritage.
Survivors include her children Mary (Vance) Nelson of Blaine, Nancy (Gary) Emery of Erhard and Janis Olson (Randy Korus) of Minneapolis; granddaughter, Jennifer (Arrow) Bradshaw Bezhig, of Ham Lake; and grandsons Brian Russeth and John Russeth of Minneapolis. Great-grandchildren surviving are Quentin and Qadira Bradshaw, Pash, Imogen and Tallulah Clamons, and Orin Russeth. Jeanette is also survived by nephew, Robert (Dee) Dwight; sister-in-law, Val Hughes; brother-in-law, Jim Vatne; and many friends and caretakers.
Much thanks and appreciation is to be conveyed to the Bethany Care Center family.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Oran; her parents Henry and Betsy; and her sister, Lillian.
Blessed be the memory of Jeanette Olson.