Amy Olson

Amy Juiletta (Hanson) Olson was born August 5, 1920 in Oylen, MN, the daughter of Eddie and Selma (Pihlstrom) Hanson. She grew up in Oylen where she attended a country school. Later she attended high school in Wadena and took care of her grandparents in Sebeka. On March 14, 1942 Amy was united in marriage to Lester Olson. They made their home on the Olson family farm. The couple was blessed with two children, Lory and Peggy, and foster son, Donald. In 1968 they sold the farm and moved to Alexandria, MN where they purchased and managed the Belmont Apartments. Volunteering was important to Amy. She was a member of the Gray Ladies and supported the Bloodmobile. Amy also served as a volunteer at Bethany Home and as an election judge. She was also active at Calvary Lutheran Church and served on the funeral lunch committee. Amy was proud of her Scandinavian heritage. She enjoyed making lefse and lutefisk along with baking pies and breads. Amy traveled to Europe visiting Norway and Sweden. She has also traveled throughout the United States. Reading was something Amy enjoyed and she liked to keep up on the news by reading the Star Tribune and Echo Press. Amy?s family was very important to her. She worked hard to make a good life for her children. Amy was a licensed foster parent and cared for several foster children. She loved spending time with her children; she often traveled to Portland, OR in the winters to be closer to her son. On Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Amy died at Bethany Home at the age of ninety-one years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Olson and one brother, Hilmur Hanson. Amy is survived by her children, Lory Olson of Vancouver, WA, Peggy Dronen and husband, Richard, of Alexandria and foster son, Donald Paurus of St. Paul, MN; five grandchildren, Blake (Dana) Dronen, Laura (Jason) Dronen-Smith, Kari (Frank) Bohle, Hannah Olson and Lars Olson; great grandchildren, Alexis Smith, Rebecca Smith, and Vincent Bohle; one brother, Wallace Hanson of Alexandria; and two sisters, Leona Gordon of Osakis, MN and Irene Bjorhus and husband, Walter, of Sauk Centre, MN. A funeral service was held Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Reverend Mark Astrup officiating. Music was provided by organist, Sandy Buckner and soloist, Patrick Kalina. Interment followed at the Evergreen Cemetery in Alexandria. Casket bearers were Blake Dronen, Lars Olson, Jason Smith, Frank Bohle. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, MN