Shirley Olson

Minot

Shirley Marie Olson, Minot, born on October 3, 1943, entered eternal peace on November 9, 2024, at home, surrounded by the love of her family. She was the cherished wife of Ray (Red) Olson, her devoted husband of 58 years, who fondly called her his “forever love.”

Shirley was born to George and Sena Sartwell in San Francisco, California, and grew up with a strong foundation of love and resilience. She graduated from Minot High School in 1961 and quickly established herself in the working world. Beginning her career at Educator’s National Insurance from 1961 to 1970, Shirley later transitioned into the banking industry, where she flourished. Through hard work and dedication, she rose to become the Assistant Vice President of Real Estate, the position she proudly held until her retirement in 2000.

Shirley loved working at the Bank and made many lifelong friendships with coworkers. Shirley was on a bowling team with her bank coworkers and always enjoyed socializing with friends. Shirley and Red bowled in a couple’s league at Chateau Lanes and North Hill Bowl for 15 years. They took the horses on many trips for trail rides to the Badlands and Montana where she always loved the scenery. They have been members of the United Congregational Church and spent many nights making lefse and helping with the church bizarre and salad luncheon. They were members of the Rough Riders Snowmobile Club and spent many weekends going on poker runs and riding the trails at Lake Metigoshe. Every Father’s Day weekend was spent with family and friends traveling in the camper to the North Unit of the Teddy Roosevelt National Park then making their way to the Grassy Butte bar where she enjoyed having a “pony beer”. Then they would make their way to the South Unit of the park where she was always the first one to spot wildlife and we would have to pay her a dollar. She loved watching the Medora Musical every year. Every weekend in the summer was spent at the lake with family and friends. She looked forward to being on the lake at the crack of dawn and fishing in the boat until the limit was caught. She enjoyed traveling and loved going to California to spend time with Angie and her family and then traveling to southern California to visit Nadine and her family. They took cruises, traveled to Alaska, Hawaii and other fun destinations. After retirement they became “Winter Texans” and spent 6 months of the year with friends and family living in Harlingen, Texas. They made many friends in Texas and volunteered at the LaFeria American Legion and traveled often to South Padre Island. They would go to Nuevo Progresso Mexico every week with their friends to enjoy their favorite watering holes. She loved when we would come to visit so she could take Britti, Cali and Kayden to the Gladys Porter Zoo. She loved playing games with the grandkids, she was very competitive and would never let them win.

Shirley was known for her kind spirit, gentle smile, and unwavering love for her family.

Shirley is survived by her beloved husband, Ray (Red) Olson; her daughters, Connie (Daniel) Wilson and Angie (Jeremy) Owens, Niece/Daughter Nadine (Jeff) Nelson. Her grandchildren, Cali and Kayden Wilson, Austin and Abigail Owens, Brittaney (Mike) Schmidt, and Tammy (Heath) Bergquist; and her adored great-grandchildren, Remington and Raegan Schmidt, and Lakynn, Harrison, and Oaklynn Bergquist along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, George and Sena (Aaenson) Sartwell, siblings Selmer Sartwell, Sylvia (Ray) Pritchett, Sherain (Arnold) Olander, Mona Bouchard, Allen Sartwell.

To her family, Shirley was everything – a source of wisdom, warmth, and joy. She was “loved to heaven and back” and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Celebration of Shirley Olson’s Life: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot. To view a recording of the service or share memories and condolences access her obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, North Dakota

Visitation: Friday, November 15, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Published by The Minot Daily News, November 13, 2024.