LaDonna "Donna" Mae Olson

Mrs. Albert Olson of Sauk Centre, MN formerly of Minnetonka, MN died at her home in Sauk Centre, at the age of 76 years. Donna Olson was born in Redtop, MN on August 13th 1935. She was one of eight children born to Clarence and Bernice Love. Circumstances surrounding her parents health, saw Donna being raised by Albert and Linnea Koch in Duluth and later they moved to south Minneapolis. In 1955 she met and began dating Albert Olson after attending a dance in Pine City, MN with her best friend Vange Stenmo. Donna and Al married on June 2nd 1956 at Christ Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. In 1968 the couple moved from south Minneapolis to Minnetonka where they resided for 40 years raising their three children: Linda, Christy, and David. For most of the children’s primary years Donna was a homemaker and often had the additional responsibilities of overseeing other families children, school functions, singing in the church choir, member of the alter guild and a member of the local home extension club. Donna entered the workforce as a nursing assistant in 1972 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Wayzata, MN from there she moved to retail merchandising for many years with the JC Penny company. This was followed by a career with the Nellcor Puritan Bennett, a medical device company. Donna ended her work career at Meridian Manor Assisted Living Center in Wayzata, MN as a dining room hostess. Albert chose to volunteer alongside her so that they might spend more time together. Donna was often recognized for her dedication, work ethic, and efforts at every occupation that she was involved in. Away from work she enjoyed gardening, particularly flowers, canning the harvests of her garden, painting landscapes, camping, traveling to see family, the 500 card club, and reading. She is survived by her husband of 56 years; Al Olson, daughter Linda (Bob) Swanson of Sauk Centre, MN, Son David (Lisa) Olson of Phoenix, AZ., Son-in-law Kevin (Cami) Raden of Plymouth, MN, grandchildren Sarah Raden, Adam Raden, Michael Olson, Lauren Olson, Lydia Olson and Max Olson, brothers John Love of Duluth, MN, Morris (Sherryl) Love of Duluth, MN, Dale (Marti) Johnson of Moorhead, Minnesota, sister-in-laws: Cheryl Love of Duluth, MN, Marguerite Love of Duluth, MN; aunts: Marian Jernigan of Moose Lake, MN, Lillian Gothberg of Reno Nevada, many nieces and nephews. Donna is preceded in death by her parents Clarence & Bernice (Hendrickson) Love, daughter Christy Raden, brothers Roger Love, Clarence "Sonny" Love, and Sisters Carol Love Burke and Mildred Love Olsenius Larson, sister-in-law Donna Love and brother-in-law Donald Burke. Rev. Laurie O'Shea officiated funeral services for Donna Olson; 11:00 a.m. Saturday (11/5/11) at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City, MN. Music was provided by floutist Kristin Boettcher, organist Mary Kay O’Neill, and soloist Arne Everson. The casket bearers included David Olson, Michael Olson, Robert Swanson, John McShannock, Kevin Raden, and Adam Raden. The interment was in the First Lutheran Cemetery of Rush City. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service ~ Olson Chapel of Rush City, MN. www.funeralandcremationservice.com