Funeral services for Donna Olson were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ringsted, Iowa, with Pastor Suzanne Wobig as officiant. Donna was laid to rest at Armstrong Grove Cemetery, Armstrong, Iowa.
Donna Jean Olson, of Armstrong, died Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, at the age of 95 years.
Donna was born on May 15, 1929, to Theodore and Diana Minnie (Monsen) Jurczewsky. Donna was raised in the Estherville/Ringsted area where she was known as “Toots”. She attended many schools in the area including Sunny Side (a one room school) near Ringsted, graduating from Ringsted High School in 1948.
In her younger years, Donna traveled by train to visit her aunts and uncles in California. She had many fond memories experiencing 1940’s Hollywood. Attending supper clubs and dances and being asked for her autograph at the famous “Brown Derby”.
Donna was 18 years old when her mother passed, she helped her dad raise her two younger brothers. She worked various jobs in Ringsted including a doctor’s office, a movie theater, and the cafe where she met her future husband, Bill.
On February 10, 1951, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, she was united in marriage to William Olson. In 1963 they bought the Knipe farm on highway 9 where they lived until moving to Armstrong in 1994. The farm continues to be operated by the family today. Her children will miss the leader of their bean walking crew. She led the pack with her three-pointed hoe, only stopping to make meals for them.
Donna belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of Ringsted, where she was very active and taught Sunday school for many years. She was also an original member of the Halfa Neighborhood Club. Later joined the S&L Club of Armstrong, where they made monthly favors for Valley Vue.
When she wasn’t busy helping on the farm or raising her 5 kids, she enjoyed fishing, reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Her favorite pastime was in the garden, tending flower and cactus beds. Donna’s biggest joy of life was spending time with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
In their later years, they traveled to Vero Beach Florida (home of LA Dodgers Training Camp). They attended many games collecting several baseball players’ autographs.
Donna is survived by her children Deb (Gary) Olson of Clarion, Connie (Dan) Miller of Terril, Cindy (Mike) Iris of Armstrong, Randy (Lindy) Olson of Ringsted, and Larry (Lisa) Olson of Armstrong; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, June Jurczewsky of Elizabeth, CO and Ruth Jurczewsky of Los Angeles, CA; brother-in-law Alvin Olson of Iowa City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Olson, parents, brothers, Jim and Gary Jurczewsky, brothers-in-law, Willis Olson and Norman Olson and sister-in-law, Lorene Gangsted.
Online condolences may be left for Donna’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com
