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Carol Olson 01/07/2020

Carol A. Olson, age 80, of Hudson, Wis., passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Carol was born on Jan. 15, 1939, to Irving and Nora (Dragseth) Nelson in Eau Claire, Wis. She grew up in Eau Claire and graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1957. She then attended UW-Eau Claire, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She began teaching second grade in Manitowac, Wis., and then in Robbinsdale, Minn.

Carol married Maynard Olson on July 29, 1967, at First Lutheran Church in Eau Claire and moved to Hudson. Their marriage was blessed with three sons: Greg, Kevin and Mark.

After being a stay-at-home mom, she did substitute teacher aide and librarian aide work in the Hudson elementary schools, and for many years she was an election worker at the North Hudson polls.

She was an active volunteer: 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher, mailing and ushering at the Phipps Center for the Arts, helped feed the hungry at Caring and Sharing Hands in Minneapolis, and helped with church mailings at Trinity Lutheran Church. For 16 years, she made baptismal banners for every baby at Trinity. She also volunteered in the Hudson Hospital Health Information Department.

Carol was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time and making memories with her family. They had fun on family trips and on several cruises as a couple and with friends. She liked to read, play cards, eat out and adult coloring.

Carol is survived by her three sons: Greg (Kathy) Olson of Lakeland, Minn.; Kevin (Chrystal) of Blaine, Minn., and Mark of Park City, Utah; grandchildren, Brian, Bethany, Kelsey and Luke; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Sandy Market, in-laws, uncles, aunts and cousins.

 A funeral service was held on Friday, January 10, 2020 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church-West Campus (1205 6th St.) in Hudson.  Visitation was also Friday from 10-11 am at the church.  Interment was in Willow River Cemetery. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

5 Comments

  • Wayne & Marie Romsos Posted January 9, 2020 6:16 pm

    Carol was always such a gracious lady. We lived as close neighbors in North Hudson on 8th St. when our children were young. Along with her husband she was very active in our 4-H Club, Helping Hands (kind of a fitting description of her life). In recent months it was not easy for her to get to church but her desire to fellowship with others at Trinity resulted in her attending services. Her pleasant smile and quiet personality will be remembered by those that knew her.

  • Mary Jo Schwartau, niece Posted January 10, 2020 12:35 am

    Carol will be remembered as someone who had was quiet and thoughtful. She lived to tell about her grandchildren’s lives! When my family and I went to visit Uncle Maynard and Aunt Carol we would be treated to delicious meals on a beautifully set table. Carol always had her home beautifully decorated and immaculate.
    Carol’s smile and gracious presence will be missed at the next Olson reunion. With love

  • Bill Gehn Posted January 10, 2020 5:23 am

    Our sympathy. Remember the good, of which there was much. Carol was a wonderful family friend. Peace be with your families. Bill Gehn & family

  • Janet M. (Knutson) Fredrickson Posted January 11, 2020 2:23 am

    We have been traveling friends for many years. We traveled to Norway, Germany, Mexico, to Canada on a train trip, and many cruises. After our husbands died, we visited regularly and had many lunches at Culvers. We shared family stories . In later years, the lunches were scheduled around her dialysis days. I shall miss her greatly.

  • Janet Wanek – Madison, WI Posted February 15, 2020 7:02 pm

    Carol and I have been lifelong friends having been born one week apart in January 1939. We grew up a couple blocks apart in our east side Eau Claire neighborhood sharing many of the same activities through grade school and high school, vacation trips as young adults, and I was in her and Maynard’s wedding. Our families have always remained in touch although living in different parts of the state. Since Maynard’s death, we have enjoyed many long phone conversations and several summer visits. I last saw Carol in July 2019 when another Eau Claire neighborhood and lifelong friend and I visited her in Hudson and went out for lunch. So many wonderful memories, spanning so many years. Carol was a special person.

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