Luella Olson

Luella M. Olson, age 88, of Willmar, died Sunday afternoon, July 2, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. www.petersonbrothers.com

Luella Olson was born on April 19, 1929 to Phillip & Veronica (Schommer) Hartman in Jordan, MN. She grew up on the farm, attended grade school at St John's Elementary and high school at Jordan High, later moving to Belle Plaine. On June 19, 1950 she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Roger Olson. They made their home in Brookings, SD until 1957, when they moved to Willmar. Their marriage was blessed with 10 children, Judy Fischer (Bill), Becky Gilbertson (Kevin), Kathy Brown (Jim), Cherie Bradach (Dennis), Kevin Olson, Pat Schaefer (Earl), Shelly Messer, Jackie Rabiola (Tom), Mary Jo Foster (Dan) and Jenny Roncagli (Pat). Luella's favorite saying was that she wished she could have had 10 more children!

Lou was very active at St. Mary's Catholic Church from the time they moved to Willmar until her passing. She worked funerals, helped in the kitchen, worked bazaars, assisted with mailings, was active with RCIA, the quilting group and was a long-time member of the Daughters of Isabella. St. Mary's Church was her second home. Lou was a homemaker, but also was a daycare mother for many and was a hairdresser in her home. She was also a caregiver for elderly neighbors and friends.

When her children were younger, she was always baking and sewing clothing for them. Lou enjoyed baking, gardening, fishing, spending time at the lake with family, playing cards, crossword puzzles, and was known for sharing her hand stitched, quilted lap robes and her embroidered kitchen towels. She also enjoyed attending concerts in the park and plays at the Barn Theatre. Grandma Lou was the heart and soul of the family for her 10 children, 26 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Luella had a very strong faith in God and waited, albeit somewhat impatiently toward the end of her life, to be reunited with her many loved ones who had gone before her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger in 2003, granddaughter, Heather, her brothers, Gilbert, Ray & Urban and her sisters Irene, Dorothy & Phyllis. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sister, Jeanette Donovan and her brother, Larry Hartman (Carol). She will also be missed by a large extended family of nieces and nephews and their families, as well as many beloved friends.

Luella's family gratefully acknowledges the RN's and NA's on the 2nd Floor of Rice Hospital for their incredible care & regard for Mom and our family as they saw to all of Mom's needs. We can't thank them enough!

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