SHIRLEY OLSON

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FARGO, N.D. - Shirley Olson, 86, of Fargo, formerly of Fergus Falls, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 12, 2008 at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo.

She was born March 13, 1922 in Kanawha, IA to Ole Andrew and Bertha Marie (Ogland) Carlson.

On March 18, 1942, she married Orville T. Olson in Clarion, IA. In 1960, they moved to the Otter Tail Lakes area so that Orville, who had left farming in Clarion, could attend seminary at the Lutheran Brethern Seminary in Fergus Falls. She worked as a nurses aide to help put him through school. Later, after Orville was ordained and they were living in McIntosh, MN, she returned to Fergus and received her LPN Degree when she was almost 50.

Shirley and Orville also served a church in Hagen Saskatchewan one summer while Orville was still in seminary. That summer included a lot of macaroni and cheese and chicken was served on Sunday to church guests. Immediately after graduating from seminary, they set sail for Japan where they were houseparents for two years. Five 50 gallon drums and two large crates were filled with their household belongings. She and Orville also served churchs in Greenbush, and McIntosh, MN and Hatton, ND.

One of her favorite stories was about the time when as a young girl, she and her best friend, Esther, took the sandwich they'd packed for lunch, went into a cafe, ordered a glass of water and ate their sandwich. She loved yard sales and clipping coupons. Shirley knew the names of all her relatives and their children and their children's children. Her refrigerator was crowded with photos of her friends and relatives.

She is survived by her husband, Orville of Fargo, ND; four sons, David of Reston, VA, Dennis of Hastings, MN, Joseph of Minneapolis, MN and Jim of Fargo, ND; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters, Clarice Thompson of Clarion, IA, Eleanor Jacobson of Eagle Grove, IA, Ruby McCormick of Sioux Falls, SD and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Hilma Thompson, Tilman Carlson, Myra Birkland, Birdsall Carlson, Gordon Carlson and Robert Carlson.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service

Services: 2 p.m Monday, September 15th at Holmes Lutheran Church in Holmes, IA.

Clergy: Rev. Joel Rolf

Burial: Holmes Lutheran Cemetery, Holmes, IA

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.

Condolences to: www.glendenilson.com