Catherine Elaine 'Tina' Olson

Tina was reunited with her Lord on Tuesday, February 14 2017. She was able to celebrate Valentine's Day with her husband once again! Catherine Elaine (Sawatzky) Olson was born April 1, 1927, to Jacob & Mary (Reimer) Sawatzky in St James, MN. She was affectionately referred to as Tina by family and friends and G-Tina by her grandchildren. Tina grew up on a small farm near Sveadahl, MN. She attended and graduated from St James High School in 1945. Tina was united in marriage to Kenneth E. Olson on April 5, 1946, at the Mennonite Church near Butterfield, MN. They spent most of their lives in Sveadahl and St James. They spent 41 years together until Ken passed away in 1987. As a young adult Tina worked at JCPenneys. She also packaged and distributed "Tina's Potato Chips" to businesses in the St James area. Her sister's family owned a general store in Sveadahl where she and Ken were the store managers for many years. They were actively involved at the West Sveadahl Church. When the family moved to St James she worked at the Plaindealer, Advertiser and then "after retirement" she became the site manager for the Butterfield nutrition program for senior citizens. In her spare time Tina liked to travel, but her favorite destination was her cabin on Lake Stony in Alexandria, MN. Many precious family memories were made throughout the years at the Lake. Tina also loved to take trips with family and friends including cruises to the Caribbean & Alaska, a trip to Australia, multiple trips for bowling competitions and trips to Las Vegas for some fun! Tina's hobbies included rollerskating, dancing, bowling, girls' weekends, going to sporting events, watching the Twins, reading and being with her family. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Roger (Peggy) Olson of Coon Rapids, MN, Rachel (Bruce) Dougherty of St James, MN, Steve (Marsha) Olson of St James, MN, Mary Granheim of Fairmont, MN; grandchildren, Jade (LeAnn) Anderson of St James, MN; Ryan Olson of Prior Lake, MN; Jesica (Jay) Ryan of Tea, SD, Quinn Olson & Stephanie of Bethel, MN, Sara (Richard) Deering of Plymouth, MN, Brandon (Nikki) Olson of Burnsville, MN, Tom (Nicole) Anderson of St James, MN, Katy (Ross) Magnuson of Marshall, MN, Brett (Stacy) Olson of Champlin, MN, Jacob Granheim of New Brighton, MN, Kyle Olson of Burnsville, MN; 13 great grandchildren with another one due in April; brother Jacob (Wanda) Sawatzky of Bonderant, IA; sisters-in-law IdaBeth Amundson, Bernice Olson, JaNette Flogstad, Lorraine Sawatzky as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Tina was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Mary Sawatzky; husband, Kenneth Olson; siblings, Ethel (Reinhart) Steinle, Ervin (Marie) Sawatzky, Harry Sawatzky, Donald Sawatzky, two infant brothers, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Victor and Edna Olson and special friend Bertil Rask. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, February 16, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, February 17, 2017 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Friday, February 17, 2017 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information West Sveadahl Lutheran Cemetery North of Hwy 30 on Sveadahl Road. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Fellowship Lunch in the fellowship hall will follow services.