Mary Ellen Olson

Mary Ellen (McLouth) Olson, age 86, died April 4, 2021 at Glen Oaks Senior Living.  Memorial Mass will be 11:00 a.m. August 7, 2021 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Spicer. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.  Funeral arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in New London.  Private graveside services were held at Colfax Cemetery near New London. Memorials are suggested to the Colfax Cemetery Association or charity of choice.

Mary Ellen was born on February 9, 1935 on the family farm in Roseville Township, the daughter of Milo and Elaine (Riley) McLouth. She began her education at District 1 and graduated from the New London High School in 1952.  On September 24th, 1955, Mary Ellen married Reynold Olson, her life’s love with whom she enjoyed 50 years of devoted marriage until his death on February 28, 2006.  Mary Ellen and Reynold bought a farm in Colfax Township in 1961 where they worked together to raise two sons and two daughters, and generations of Holstein cows, dogs, and cats.

Mary Ellen was a member of the Church of Our Lady of the Lakes, one of the earliest members, and served for many years on the Colfax Cemetery Board.  While raising a family and being a farm wife, Mary Ellen also had a 37-year career as a court administrator in Kandiyohi County, taking great pride in her public service work and enjoying enduring friendships with colleagues. She retired in 1997 as Chief Deputy Court Administrator.

Mary Ellen lived a full life committed to a large extended family and network of neighbors, classmates, and friends. She lived a life devoted both to working hard and finding time to enjoy life with others.  She and Reynold guided their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with deep love and devotion.

Mary Ellen died Easter morning, April 4th at the Glen Oaks Senior Living where she was grateful for the care and compassion of staff.  She is survived by four children, Mark Olson of Hawick, Lynn Olson of Evanston, IL, Jane Olson and husband Dan Badger of Duluth, and John Olson of Atlanta GA; grandchildren, Melissa and husband  Mike Shepard of Shakopee, Matthew Olson and wife Bonnie Collura of Bellefonte PA, Curt Olson of Plymouth,  Ellen and husband Phil Badger Hanson of Kalamazoo, MI, Karl Badger and fiancée Libby Morton of Hugo; great grandchildren, Logan and Alicia Shepard of Shakopee; brother William and wife Claire McLouth of New London; sister-in-law Ruth Norsten of New London; and many beloved nephews, nieces and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Reynold, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, DeWayne and Olive Olson, Richard and Carmen Olson, and Lyndon Norsten.

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