Junielle Luverne Olah

Memorial Service: https://vimeo.com/event/4864621

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/ZCR93TKDTD84T5JY

We sadly announce the passing of Junielle L. Olah on January 2, 2025. Over the 90 years of her life, she brought joy, love, and kind understanding to the people in her life.

Junielle is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James (Jim) Allen Peterson; and son, Stewart Arnold; husband, Tibor Olah; and step-daughter, Agnes Olah. Her memory lives on in her two sisters, Darlyne Knutson, and Judy Muhle; four of her children, Kim Allen, Terrance Arlo, Lynelle Ann, and Marc Aaron; as well as eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and many cherished friends.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Messiah Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Junielle requested that all memorials be sent to the Messiah Lutheran Church Hour of Worship (PO Box 1562, Fargo, ND 58107).

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On May 4, 1935, Gladys (Toso) and Elmer Velo welcomed their second daughter, Junielle (Jen) Luverne Velo into the world. Today we gather to remember her life and say goodbye as she moves on to her next adventure.

Junielle’s early years were on a farm in the Trondhjem township of Otter Tail County, Minnesota. She was generally obedient and did her chores, which included the dreaded job of gathering and cleaning eggs. However, there was the time when she and her older sister Darlyne decided to use flour to make mud pies. Uff da! At home the family only spoke Norwegian and did not learn English until she started going to school.

Junielle attended the District 78 Country School through 5th grade. One of her cherished mementos of that time was a coloring booklet titled “My Safety Book” that she kept in her hope chest. After elementary school she attended Pelican Rapids High School and graduated in 1952.

That same year she met her first husband, James Peterson, and the couple got married the following year. The next few years were hectic as Jim’s pilot training for the North Dakota Air National Guard required numerous moves.  At the same time, the family grew to include five children. In 1963, the family moved to Fargo and Junielle worked with Jim as he established Fight Development, Inc.  Jim died in May of 1975.

Junielle received her Registered Nurse certificate in 1972 from St Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing and worked in their Cardiac Care Unit until 1975. She then became an instructor at Dakota Hospital for Wahpeton Schools of Science students working toward their LPN certificate and provided a refresher course for RNs and LPNs. In 1980, Junielle went back to school and received a Business degree from North Dakota State University in 1982.

In June of 1979, Junielle married Tibor Olah. They loved to dance and were often found on the dance floor on Saturday nights. Together they travelled to Hungary and Norway and shared several cruises with friends. Tibor died in October 2011.

Junielle joined the Messiah Church in 1965 and was a member of the Stephen Ministry and WELCA. She attended five years of “Bible Study Fellowship” and volunteered with the Emergency Food Pantry, Social Services Ministry, the “Great-Give-Away” the Quilters, and “Mending Hearts” health ministry. Her faith in God and the church gave her great comfort and strength in her later years.

May we all hold her in our hearts along with the happy memories and blessings she brought to our lives.