Elinor Marie Olson

Elinor M. Olson, age 95 of Lanesboro, MN, died Tuesday July 23 at the Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony, MN

Elinor was born April 16, 1919 in Waseca, MN to John and Bertha (Stone) Wendland. She grew up in St. Charles, MN where she met her husband-to-be Robert (Bob) Olson. They were married March 6, 1943 having recently celebrated their 71st anniversary. Elinor worked in a bakery, a restaurant, and was a typist and worked for a lawyer and the City of St. Charles Recorders Office. She also worked as a switchboard operator for 6 years and served as a secretary at the Lanesboro Sales Barn after moving to Lanesboro. She was a member of Elstad Lutheran Church where she was always on call to help “bring food” whenever needed.

Elinor and Bob owned and operated the City Forty Farm for 54 years – retiring and moving to Elinor’s “little dream house on the hill”. Elinor was the epitome of a farmer’s wife, tending not only to household and outdoor chores but helping her husband with the record keeping of their Registered Purebred Brown Swiss and at one time raising over 10,000 chickens.

Elinor is survived by her husband Bob, sons Robert A. (Sandy) of Winona, Rollie, (Julie), Harlingen, Texas; grandchildren, Douglas (Angie)Olson, Hudson, WI, Kelly (Mike) Schroeder, Winona, Danielle Olson, (Scott Fisher), Rochester; great grandchildren – Sarah and Ryan Olson, Tanner and Sadie Gray, Tawni and Jaden Kramer and nephew Larry (Pam ) Nuszloch), Chandler, AZ. Her mother, father, sister and brother-in-law – Maxine and Fred Nuszloch precede her in death.

Memorial services to celebrate Elinor’s life will be held at Elstad Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro on Saturday July 26, 2014.  Visitation will be from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM  with the service starting at 2:00 PM.  A committal service will follow at the church cemetery. Rev. Patricia Hinkie will officiate.

Elinor’s family would like to express their deepest thanks and appreciation to her wonderful neighbors, other family members, and the staff at Gundersen Harmony Care Center , especially Julie Lang and Tina Brown.

Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro is assisting the family with arrangements, 507-867-4310. rileyfuneralhomes.com.