Lena A. Olson died on February 8 at home, in the company of her daughter, Jean, and grandson, Paul.
Born Lena Annette Floyd on Jan. 17, 1922, on her parents' homestead near Prineville, Ore., Lena lived a life rich in family, friends and life experiences. Lena met her husband, Francis, in San Francisco where she was a waitress and he was an MP in the U.S. Army. After Francis' discharge, the couple moved to a farm near Francis' hometown, Wausa, Neb., where their three children were born. Several years of drought and friends who had migrated from Nebraska to Wisconsin (Alvin and Herma Larson and Harvey and LaVern Lentz) led to the Olson's move to Colfax in 1957, where Lena and Francis farmed in several locations near Colfax until 1968.
Lena began working in the Colfax Public Schools kitchen in 1960, and soon became secretary to the high school principal. She eventually became the school district's bookkeeper, forming friendships with many teachers, staff and students. The Colfax Public Schools formed an important part of her life for close to 30 years.
She retired in 1987, dedicating herself to volunteer work, traveling and her two favorite activities - reading and visiting with friends. She engaged in lively correspondence with family and friends, and used e-mail to reestablish contact with nieces, nephews and friends throughout the United States. She enjoyed her three children's travels and adventures, visiting them as often as possible. Her three grandsons spent time at Grandma's every summer, and grandson Paul lived with Lena during his last two years of high school.
She served on the Colfax Lutheran Church Board and was active in the Esther Circle and Ladies Aide for many years. She was a member of WESTCAP's housing board and of the Colfax senior citizens' group, and was Dunn County Volunteer of the Year in the mid 1990s.
A series of health problems beginning with a stroke in 2001 limited Lena's activities in her final years, but she was a regular diner at the Grapevine Senior Center, where she enjoyed Bible study and bingo sessions with long-time friends.
She is survived by son, Donald; and daughter, Jean, both of Colfax, Wis.; grandson, Edward and his wife, Betty; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Elin; and grandson, Chris all of Huntley, Ill; and grandson, Paul of Lakeville, Minn.; her sister, Mildred (Prineville, Ore.); and many nieces and nephews; as well as members of her extended family, the Lentzes and Larsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, Thomas; and six brothers and sisters.
Funeral Services for Lena Olson will be Saturday, February 12 at Colfax Lutheran Church. Burial will be at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Colfax.
Friends may call 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Sampson Funeral Home in Colfax and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire WI
Published 9 February 2011
Born Lena Annette Floyd on Jan. 17, 1922, on her parents' homestead near Prineville, Ore., Lena lived a life rich in family, friends and life experiences. Lena met her husband, Francis, in San Francisco where she was a waitress and he was an MP in the U.S. Army. After Francis' discharge, the couple moved to a farm near Francis' hometown, Wausa, Neb., where their three children were born. Several years of drought and friends who had migrated from Nebraska to Wisconsin (Alvin and Herma Larson and Harvey and LaVern Lentz) led to the Olson's move to Colfax in 1957, where Lena and Francis farmed in several locations near Colfax until 1968.
Lena began working in the Colfax Public Schools kitchen in 1960, and soon became secretary to the high school principal. She eventually became the school district's bookkeeper, forming friendships with many teachers, staff and students. The Colfax Public Schools formed an important part of her life for close to 30 years.
She retired in 1987, dedicating herself to volunteer work, traveling and her two favorite activities - reading and visiting with friends. She engaged in lively correspondence with family and friends, and used e-mail to reestablish contact with nieces, nephews and friends throughout the United States. She enjoyed her three children's travels and adventures, visiting them as often as possible. Her three grandsons spent time at Grandma's every summer, and grandson Paul lived with Lena during his last two years of high school.
She served on the Colfax Lutheran Church Board and was active in the Esther Circle and Ladies Aide for many years. She was a member of WESTCAP's housing board and of the Colfax senior citizens' group, and was Dunn County Volunteer of the Year in the mid 1990s.
A series of health problems beginning with a stroke in 2001 limited Lena's activities in her final years, but she was a regular diner at the Grapevine Senior Center, where she enjoyed Bible study and bingo sessions with long-time friends.
She is survived by son, Donald; and daughter, Jean, both of Colfax, Wis.; grandson, Edward and his wife, Betty; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Elin; and grandson, Chris all of Huntley, Ill; and grandson, Paul of Lakeville, Minn.; her sister, Mildred (Prineville, Ore.); and many nieces and nephews; as well as members of her extended family, the Lentzes and Larsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, Thomas; and six brothers and sisters.
Funeral Services for Lena Olson will be Saturday, February 12 at Colfax Lutheran Church. Burial will be at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Colfax.
Friends may call 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Sampson Funeral Home in Colfax and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire WI
Published 9 February 2011
Lena A. Olson died on February 8 at home, in the company of her daughter, Jean, and grandson, Paul.
Born Lena Annette Floyd on Jan. 17, 1922, on her parents' homestead near Prineville, Ore., Lena lived a life rich in family, friends and life experiences. Lena met her husband, Francis, in San Francisco where she was a waitress and he was an MP in the U.S. Army. After Francis' discharge, the couple moved to a farm near Francis' hometown, Wausa, Neb., where their three children were born. Several years of drought and friends who had migrated from Nebraska to Wisconsin (Alvin and Herma Larson and Harvey and LaVern Lentz) led to the Olson's move to Colfax in 1957, where Lena and Francis farmed in several locations near Colfax until 1968.
Lena began working in the Colfax Public Schools kitchen in 1960, and soon became secretary to the high school principal. She eventually became the school district's bookkeeper, forming friendships with many teachers, staff and students. The Colfax Public Schools formed an important part of her life for close to 30 years.
She retired in 1987, dedicating herself to volunteer work, traveling and her two favorite activities - reading and visiting with friends. She engaged in lively correspondence with family and friends, and used e-mail to reestablish contact with nieces, nephews and friends throughout the United States. She enjoyed her three children's travels and adventures, visiting them as often as possible. Her three grandsons spent time at Grandma's every summer, and grandson Paul lived with Lena during his last two years of high school.
She served on the Colfax Lutheran Church Board and was active in the Esther Circle and Ladies Aide for many years. She was a member of WESTCAP's housing board and of the Colfax senior citizens' group, and was Dunn County Volunteer of the Year in the mid 1990s.
A series of health problems beginning with a stroke in 2001 limited Lena's activities in her final years, but she was a regular diner at the Grapevine Senior Center, where she enjoyed Bible study and bingo sessions with long-time friends.
She is survived by son, Donald; and daughter, Jean, both of Colfax, Wis.; grandson, Edward and his wife, Betty; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Elin; and grandson, Chris all of Huntley, Ill; and grandson, Paul of Lakeville, Minn.; her sister, Mildred (Prineville, Ore.); and many nieces and nephews; as well as members of her extended family, the Lentzes and Larsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, Thomas; and six brothers and sisters.
Funeral Services for Lena Olson will be Saturday, February 12 at Colfax Lutheran Church. Burial will be at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Colfax.
Friends may call 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Sampson Funeral Home in Colfax and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire WI
Published 9 February 2011
Born Lena Annette Floyd on Jan. 17, 1922, on her parents' homestead near Prineville, Ore., Lena lived a life rich in family, friends and life experiences. Lena met her husband, Francis, in San Francisco where she was a waitress and he was an MP in the U.S. Army. After Francis' discharge, the couple moved to a farm near Francis' hometown, Wausa, Neb., where their three children were born. Several years of drought and friends who had migrated from Nebraska to Wisconsin (Alvin and Herma Larson and Harvey and LaVern Lentz) led to the Olson's move to Colfax in 1957, where Lena and Francis farmed in several locations near Colfax until 1968.
Lena began working in the Colfax Public Schools kitchen in 1960, and soon became secretary to the high school principal. She eventually became the school district's bookkeeper, forming friendships with many teachers, staff and students. The Colfax Public Schools formed an important part of her life for close to 30 years.
She retired in 1987, dedicating herself to volunteer work, traveling and her two favorite activities - reading and visiting with friends. She engaged in lively correspondence with family and friends, and used e-mail to reestablish contact with nieces, nephews and friends throughout the United States. She enjoyed her three children's travels and adventures, visiting them as often as possible. Her three grandsons spent time at Grandma's every summer, and grandson Paul lived with Lena during his last two years of high school.
She served on the Colfax Lutheran Church Board and was active in the Esther Circle and Ladies Aide for many years. She was a member of WESTCAP's housing board and of the Colfax senior citizens' group, and was Dunn County Volunteer of the Year in the mid 1990s.
A series of health problems beginning with a stroke in 2001 limited Lena's activities in her final years, but she was a regular diner at the Grapevine Senior Center, where she enjoyed Bible study and bingo sessions with long-time friends.
She is survived by son, Donald; and daughter, Jean, both of Colfax, Wis.; grandson, Edward and his wife, Betty; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Elin; and grandson, Chris all of Huntley, Ill; and grandson, Paul of Lakeville, Minn.; her sister, Mildred (Prineville, Ore.); and many nieces and nephews; as well as members of her extended family, the Lentzes and Larsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, Thomas; and six brothers and sisters.
Funeral Services for Lena Olson will be Saturday, February 12 at Colfax Lutheran Church. Burial will be at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Colfax.
Friends may call 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Sampson Funeral Home in Colfax and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire WI
Published 9 February 2011
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