Obituary of Lois Olson

Lois Ann Olson, 77, of Isanti, died Thursday, November 8, 2012 at GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge. Lois was born in Pierson Iowa to Fred and Carrie Radi. Her family moved to Chokio in western Minnesota. She grew up on a farm and worked hard. She was the second youngest of 7 brothers and sisters. The family had one bike to share. She worked summers to earn extra money. She was in marching band and she enjoyed roller skating. In fact roller skating is where she met a special young man, Odin, on New Year's Eve 1951. They were married and started their family. They lived with his parents for a short time before renting an apartment in Morris. A short time later they purchased a trailer home in Morris, Minnesota. In the late 50's they moved to St. Paul where they were caretakers of an apartment complex. By this time they had four daughters; Shirley, Debra, Kelly and Sandra and they thought it was time to move into their own house. They bought their first home in Wayzata in 1963. Lois was a homemaker. She did child care in her home and worked a few nights as a waitress. She was also a toy demonstrator. After all of her children were in school she started a full time career with Control Data. She received many awards from Control Data as she was a conscientious worker. In 1972 the family moved to a hobby farm on the Apple River in Somerset Wisconsin. In 1978 they moved to Lake Elmo where they lived until 2004. Lois left Control Data and followed her passion in catering, working at Augsburg College. Boy did those college kids eat well while she was there. While at Augsburg she was asked to cater an event for the King of Norway who was visiting. I said wow, what an honor; did you have to do anything special? She said "I don't care if I am serving the King or a college student, they all deserve my best." When they retired and went on the road they split their time between Texas and Cambridge Minnesota, traveling in their Motor Coach. In 2011 they moved into their retirement home on Long Lake in Isanti where they continued to enjoy their life together. She is survived by her husband Odin Olson of Isanti; daughters Shirley (Lloyd) Singh of Princeton, Debby (Lloyd) Meissner of Rogers, Kelly Whitson of Birmingham, MI, Sandra (Jim) Shirley of W. St. Paul, 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren.