Dorothy Elizabeth Olson passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord on April 13, 2024. She almost made it to 95 years of cherished life with family, friends, coworkers and fellow Christians.
Dorothy was born May 8,1929 to Herman and Inga Aamodt of Spring Valley. She was the oldest of four and her Mom teased her by calling her “Ya..But”. Dorothy grew up on a dairy farm, but preferred baking, sewing and gardening to tending cows. She met the love of her life, Harold Olson at Spring Valley High School, where they graduated in 1947. She finally “got off the farm” to go to River Falls State Teachers College, where she had many adventures and earned a two-year diploma in Rural Education. She taught one year of Elementary School. Harold wooed this beautiful lady with airplane flyovers, fun dates and love letters until they tied the knot July 22, 1950.
Over the span of 66 years Dorothy & Harold lived in Spring Valley, Rochester, MN, Eau Claire and Clayton WI, raising five children. As the kids grew, Dorothy took on a part time job at Welcome Wagon, gathering ads, coupons and gifts from businesses to welcome new neighbors. She earned Diamond Circle recognition and retired after 20 years. In her later years, she lent her beautiful soprano in a Norwegian singing and dance group traveling to nursing homes and other venues. Dorothy loved crafting, gardening, travel, was a skilled seamstress and quilter and a wonderful cook and baker. She adored cookies until the very end. She especially loved games – solitaire, Upwords, cards – and entertaining and having adventures with family and friends. Everyone who knew her thought she was the nicest and kindest person – and she was.
Dorothy was always a church lady and crusader for Christ – teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, studying at “Circle” and serving casseroles and cake at funerals and weddings and gently pushing everyone – especially kids – to find their faith the Lord. She is back at it now with her heavenly soprano voice and prayers for all of us who need them.
Dorothy is survived by three of her five children, Steve Olson and his wife Debbie, Karen Buelow and her husband Tom and Dave Olson and his wife Robin and also daughter-in-law Diane Olson Grothe. She leaves behind (but hopes to meet again) her dear grandchildren Mark Olson, Erica O’Gorman, Rebecca Seeley, Ryan Seeley, Aaron Olson, Tyler Olson, Adrianne Stumpf, Grete Olson, Erik Olson and Seth Olson and their spouses along with eight beloved great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Harold Aamodt and his wife Shirley; sister-in-law Janice Olson, many nieces, nephews and extended family. Although many have passed, she also sadly leaves behind a few really good friends – you know who you are.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lila Schneider and Marlys Henson and niece Cheryl Schneider. She is now joyfully reunited with her husband Harold – aka “Mr. Wonderful” and two of her beloved children, Julie Seeley and Christopher Olson.
Funeral Service will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 1804 Highland Avenue, Eau Claire WI on Sunday May, 5th at 1 p.m. followed by lunch and fellowship. Internment will be on a later date at Gilman Lutheran Church cemetery in Spring Valley WI. Mom always loved supporting church and children programs like Bible Camp. Please make memorials to the charity of your choice or to St. John’s.
