Alice Olson

Alice A. Olson, 87, of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, October 20, 2013, at Woodland Lodge in Fergus Falls.

Alice Adella Olson was born on April 29, 1926, in Carlisle Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, the daughter of Albert and Liene (Gabriel) Beske. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1944.

On May 4, 1950, she married Vernon Olson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Alice was employed at the Woolworth Store in Fergus Falls in all three of their locations, and retired after working there for 46 ½ years. She lived in her house on Vasa Avenue for 70 years, just recently moving into the Alcott Manor in April of 2013.

Alice belonged to many bowling leagues and took lots of interesting trips for tournaments. She enjoyed gardening and canned a lot of produce from her garden in the country, and at her home in town. She enjoyed sewing and doing needlework, particularly hardanger. She made many pieces for friends and relatives as well as selling some. One piece of her handiwork even went to Hawaii.

She has been a member of First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls since 1951. She cooked and helped in the kitchen for many events. She served on the Church Council for two terms. She also belonged to the Fergus Falls VFW Auxiliary., serving as the Auxiliary President for two terms, and was the Poppy Chairman for one year, during which she won many prizes.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Vernon, in 2005; her parents; four sisters, Ruth Beske, Alma Beske, Elna Grasshoff, and Esther Lewis; three brothers, Henry Beske (stillborn), Fred Beske, and Herbert Beske; and brothers-in-law, Glenn Olson, Willard Olson, Leland Derby, Louis Stephens and Marcus Johnson.

Survivors include her sisters-in-law Penny Beske of Fergus Falls, Vivian Johnson of Wendell, and Deloris Derby; brother-in-law Harvey Grasshoff of Fergus Falls; and nieces and nephews, Evan (Barb) Lewis, Ethel (Donald) Pederson, Richard (LaVonne) Lewis, Robert (Karin) Lewis, Emily (Barney) Eggen, Barbara Martin, Connie (Joel) Grothmann, Anita Beske, Lynette (Gordon) Pederson, Marilyn (Steve) Inwards, David (Susan) Grasshoff, Paul Grasshoff, Timothy Grasshoff, Deborah (Russell) Brown, Daniel (Amy) Beske, and David Beske.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, October 24, 2013, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.