Margaret Olson

Margaret M. Olson, 79, of Redwood Falls, MN, formerly of Bismarck, ND, died Thursday, June 13, 2013, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN, following complications from vascular disease. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, June 22, at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. James Braaten officiating. Burial will be in Mandan Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Friday, June 21, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil will begin at 7:00 pm. Marge was born August 14, 1933, in Langdon, ND, one of four children of Ole and Verna Wild Johnson. She graduated valedictorian of the 1951 class of St. Alphonsus School, and went on to graduate with honors from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN, with a degree in English. Her first teaching job was in Rolla, ND, teaching English, and she was also in charge of the library, which was when her interest in Library Science grew and led her to pursue certification in that field. After Rolla, Marge taught in Mandan, ND, where she met the love of her life, John H. Olson. John and Marge married on September 1, 1962, in Langdon, ND. Marge worked in the Grand Forks Public Library while John finished his degree at the University of North Dakota, but when John took a teaching job in Enderlin, ND, in 1963, she began teaching English at Enderlin High School. Seven years later when their only child, Anne, was born, Marge worked part-time as the head librarian at the school. In 1979, the couple moved to Bismarck, where Marge began in the Bismarck Public Schools as a tutor at Wachter Junior High School, and where she concluded her teaching career in 1995 after 15 years in the WJH Language Arts department. Because of a decline in her health, Marge moved to Redwood Falls in 2010 to live with Anne, Chad, and her grandchildren, and enjoyed many dance recitals and school programs. There were lots of stories shared and many blessings. In addition to her love of her family and of teaching, Marge was known for many things including her devoted Catholic faith, letter writing to family and friends, her amazing sugar cookies and "grandma bread", and her sincere generosity and kind spirit. She enjoyed knitting, was an avid reader, and loved a good crossword puzzle and hot cup of coffee. Marge is survived by her daughter, Anne Marie Olson Johnson and her husband Chad, Redwood Falls, MN, and three grandchildren, Alexis, Amanda, and Cole; one sister, Rita Johnson, Bismarck; one brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Bobbie Johnson, Langdon, ND; sisters-in-law, Jane Olson Harsh, Winchester, VA, Sister Stella Olson, Fargo, ND, and Beth Morrison Olson, Richfield, MN; many loving nieces and nephews, many "Wild" relatives, and so many wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, John; parents, Ole and Verna; sister, Anne Johnson; and brothers-in-law, Arthur W. Olson II, Dennis T. Olson I, and Stan Harsh. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage you to support the charity of your choice, in honor of Marge's strong belief in charitable giving.

Margaret Olson

August 14, 1933 - June 13, 2013