Obituary of Violet Olson

Violet Marie Olson, 89, of Cambridge passed away peacefully with her daughters at her side on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. She was born on December 14, 1923 in Fish Lake Township, Minnesota to Charles and Augusta (Carlson) Hawkinson. She was baptized and confirmed at Fish Lake Lutheran Church. Violet attended grade school in Stark and graduated from North Branch High School in 1941. After high school she worked as a waitress in Cambridge where she met Elmer Olson. They would marry on September 27, 1947 at Cambridge Lutheran Church. Elmer and Violet lived just west of Cambridge a few years before purchasing the farm about a mile down the road and raised their four daughters. They farmed for several years until November 1979, when Elmer passed away. Violet stayed on the farm and was still living there at the time of her passing. Violet was a member of Cambridge Lutheran Church for many years, and later returned as a member of Fish Lake Lutheran Church where she was active in the WELCA group. When her girls were younger, Violet was a 4-H leader. She was also active in the Homemakers group and volunteered at the Shalom Shop for several years. Violet enjoyed knitting, gardening, baking and playing cards. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elmer, infant twin sisters, brothers Earl, Arnold, Alden and Vernon Hawkinson, and granddaughter Rachelle Osborne. Violet is survived by her four daughters Julie and husband Jack Osborne of Cambridge, Janet and husband Bill Plessel of Cambridge, Karen and husband Ron Reese of Little Falls, Cindy and husband Mark Blesener of Cambridge, 13 grandchildren; Tracie, Ryan, Michelle, Bill, Robert, Mindy, Brad, Heather, Nathan, Josh, Krystal, Amber and Zach, 15 great grandchildren, special cousin Ruby Dike of Cambridge, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends.