Alda M. Olsen

Alda Marjorie Olsen was born September 23, 1924 to Earl and Avil (Abbott) Johnson while her parents were visiting her aunt Mina in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in the rural area around Chicago, Illinois and attended several country schools. She attended Arlington Heights High School through the 10th grade, and then went to work for John Arthur and Hazel Ljunggren in Park Ridge, Illinois. She was treated very well by them, remaining in contact with Mrs. Ljunggren for many years. Alda met Lawrence Olsen on a double date. They exchanged phone numbers at the end of the date, and exchanged letters while he was in active duty in the Navy during World War II. On February 1, 1946 Alda and Lawrence were married at Aunt Molly and Uncle Ed’s home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The couple farmed in Shelburne Township in Lyon County, near Florence. Being a city girl, Alda had a lot to learn about farm life, but she was a strong partner helping on the farm, doing chores, cleaning the milk tools and tank, and raising their four children. Since she was not able to graduate from high school she was very proud to earn her GED at the age of 56. Lawrence died in 2005 and in 2007, Alda moved to an apartment at the Danebod Village. In 2016, after breaking a hip, Alda took up residence in the Hendricks Nursing Home where, on October 29, 2018 she died at the age of 94 surrounded by her family.

Alda was a member of the Alliance Church in Tyler. While on the farm she was a member of Shelburne Birthday Club and Shelburne Farm Bureau, and was a 4-H leader. She enjoyed flower gardening, embroidering, entertaining family and friends, and babysitting and attending her grandchildren’s functions. She traveled with Lawrence when he was on the AMPI board, and enjoyed two trips out west to visit family. In later years she was an avid reader. Alda always had lunch and goodies for family and friends when they visited. There was always cake and ice cream in the freezer. Her creamed potatoes, frikadellers (danish meatballs), apple crisp, and apple and rhubarb pie were family favorites. She had a big jewelry drawer that was enjoyed by three generations of little girls.

Alda is lovingly remembered by children, Robert Olsen of Hampton, IA, Richard (Annetta) Olsen of Tyler, MN; Kathleen (Jeffrey) Weber of Elkton, SD, and Karolyn (James) Barron of Lynd, MN; ten grandchildren, Tammy (Jason) Borman, Jeremy (Emily) Studemann, Jessica (Matthew) Boettcher, Robbie (Amber) Olsen, Jhett (Emmeline) Weber, Jack (Sara) Weber, Shawn (Chelsey) Olsen, Jennifer (Jeff) Rupp, Joy Barron, and William (Kristi) Barron; 20 great-grandchildren, JasiAnna Borman, Jaden Borman, Alexis Scharper, Saphira Olsen, Alexander Olsen, Gage Studemann, Gavin Studemann, Grady Studemann, Raens Boettcher, Eden Weber, Kyle (Judith) Rupp, Jordan Rupp, Kelsey Boettcher, Cameron Calico, Damian Hoeft, Brandon Hoeft, Layla Olsen, Hunter Olsen, Emma Sparks, and Jakob Barron; two great-great-grandchildren, Amelia and Henry Rupp. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her parents; brothers, Clarence Hill, Marvin, Richard, and Kenneth Johnson, and infants Cecil and Junior; sisters, Virginia Webb and Juanita Berett; and a grandson, Larry Olsen.

Blessed be her memory.