Ethel Olson

Ethel Olson, 92, of Moorhead, Minnesota, died Sunday, October 5, 2008, at Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, MN. Ethel Bernice Olson, the tenth of twelve children of Nels and Thea (King) Olson, was born December 20, 1915, on the farm near Page, North Dakota. Ethel moved to Fargo, with the family, in the early 1920’s. After going through Fargo’s school system, she went on to graduate from North Dakota State University in 1937, with a B.A. degree. Subsequently, she received her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Ethel served in North Dakota’s public welfare program for 30 years in various capacities, from child welfare worker to area administrator for the Public Welfare Board. She was recognized by her peers in social work for outstanding leadership, sense of duty, and excellence in delivery of social services and administration of public assistance. As the first certified social worker in the state, she earned national recognition for the State of North Dakota when she was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Social Workers. Her life was wrapped up in social work, always with sensitivity to the needs of the individual. Ethel is survived by her brother, Robert N. (Betty) Olson, Shelly, Minnesota. Memorial Service: Friday, October 10, 2008, at 2:00 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Inurnment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.