Marie Olsen

Marie Otilja Olsen was born August 12, 1914, in Verona, ND the daughter of Charles and Mary (Petersen) Raatz. She graduated from Verona High School in 1931, and then attended Valley City Teachers College in Valley City, ND. Marie taught in North Dakota and Texas and was united in marriage to Lloyd Olsen on December 28, 1941. The couple lived in El Paso, TX and Oakes, ND before spending most of their years in Fargo, ND. While living in Fargo, Marie was a member of the Eastern Star, Royal Neighbors of America, Peace Lutheran Church Women, and Peace Lutheran Church Archives. She was also active as a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts, a Campfire Girls leader, and Mother Advisor of Rainbow Girls. Marie was a member of the Fargo Retired Teachers Association and the Mobilettes. She loved to sew, do crafts, travel, geneaology, and collecting. Marie moved to St. John Lutheran Home in January of 2003 following her stroke. She was involved in many of the activities at the home, even becoming a water-color artist. Being a well-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were highlights of her life. Marie Olsen died Thursday, January 13, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield, MN at the age of 96 years. She is survived by sons- Dennis (Cathy) Olsen of Lake Park, MN, and Paul (Jeannell) Wyntergreen of Tillamook, OR; daughters- Dianne (Rocco) Altobelli of Eagan, MN, and Mary (Gerry) Van Roekel of Sleepy Eye, MN; 6 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister Ardith Cruit of Silver Spring, MD; sisters-in-law- Marlys (James) Raatz of Verona, ND, Doris (Olsen) Wanberg of Fargo, ND, and Margie (Olsen) Ray of Grand Forks, ND; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lloyd; brother James Raatz; and sisters- Edith Gildersleeve, Jeanette Boe, and Shirley Cheyne.