Loretta M Olafson

Memorial Service: https://vimeo.com/922518630

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/FSQ8J76BFT4K6T65

Loretta Olafson, 94, of Fargo, ND, died peacefully on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Bethany on University under the care of their wonderful staff and Ethos.

Loretta Margaret Heise was born June 14, 1929, on the family farm in LaMoure County, ND, and was the daughter of Edward and Laura (Kraemer) Heise. She attended school in Litchville and Hastings, ND, and Dakota Business College in Fargo. She married Roy Olafson on October 29, 1950, and they made their home in Fargo.

Loretta worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at FM News, P&G Wholesale, and Thompson Brothers Trucking at the time of her retirement in 1996. She then worked as a breakfast hostess at Hampton Inn.

Loretta loved keeping busy. She enjoyed gardening and cooking. She made and shared lefse and krumkake, but banana bread was her year-round specialty. She was a machine knitter and joined the Lake Country Knitters Club. With Dorothy Rosman's patient help, she knitted a hat and blanket for each great-grandchild, gifts for her family, and warm hats to donate to shelters. She was a long-time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fargo, where she served in many capacities over the years, including being a wedding coordinator, funeral lunch server, Sunday school teacher, and quilter. She lived a life of service and volunteered countless hours at the Sons of Norway, Bonanzaville, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Loretta is survived by her three daughters, Susan (Daryl) Fellbaum of Rock Springs, WY, Colleen (Bruce) Nelson, and Judith (John) Dobbins of Fargo; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She leaves her brothers, Curt (Mae) Heise of Muscoda, WI, Harvey (Rosemary) Heise of West Fargo, ND, and Willis Heise; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Heise, Valley City, ND, and Arlene Heise, Cooperstown, ND; and some special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant daughter; grandson, Troy Fellbaum; brothers, Lloyd Heise and Eugene Heise; brothers-in-law, Walter Olafson, Leeland Olafson, and Torger Syvertson; and a sister-in-law, Hariett Syvertson.