Ruth Adele Olson

Ruth Adele Olson was born on November 3, 1926 in Grant, Iowa to Frank and Lillie Hensel. She was raised on a farm with two sisters, and five brothers. Ruth graduated from Grant High School.

On November 16, 1945 she married Melvin A. Olson in Strand, Iowa. This was the union of two families who had been friends for many years. They made their home in Villisca, Iowa; later moving to Creston, Iowa, then to Riverdale, North Dakota, and finally to Fargo, North Dakota. Together they had five children. Ruth dedicated her life to her family.

Ruth was an amazingly strong, independent woman who loved her husband and her family with her whole heart. Each new generation only allowed her to love more. She loved her children; she adored her grandchildren, and almost overflowed with love for her great-grandchildren. Everyone who knew her will tell stories of her quick wit, her caretaking of others, her immense protection of those she loved, and her strong will to be independent.

Ruth Olson died at the age of 88 on Monday, February 21, at Rosewood on Broadway, after a courageous battle with Lymphoma.

She is survived by her sons: Melvin (Sue), Wisconsin; Richard, Washington; Steven (Vera), Washington; daughter Pat, Fargo; her 10 grandchildren: Michael (Karen), Sarah, Troy (Jeanne), Kris (Sharon), Alexi (Donnie), Karl (Lindsey), Erik (Candi), Angela, Jon, and Bill; 14 great-grandchildren: Genna, Elizabeth, Matthew, Timothy, Alyssa, Samantha, Marcus, Jordan, Kadence, Elias, Tyler, Tamara, Amy, and Tia.

Ruth was proceeded in death by her husband, Melvin; her son, Thomas; her mother, Lillie; her father, Frank; her mother-in- law, Ida; her father-in-law, Abe; and four brothers and two sisters.