Helen Olson, 86

Published 7:01 am Sunday, January 15, 2017

Helen Olson, 86, of Austin, Minnesota, passed through the Heavenly gates and into the Lord’s arms on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, after a two-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

Helen was born Nov. 11, 1930, in Olga, North Dakota, to Thomas and Eugenia Campbell. She was a welcome sight being the fourth child born but the first girl. Helen was raised on a small farm in North Dakota and lived there until 1947, and at that time she headed to Las Vegas, where her older brothers were. She met her future husband, Richard, on the bus and they corresponded for a year until they were married on June 29, 1948, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. They settled in Austin and raised their family.

Olson

Helen always dreamed of being a cosmetologist, and late in her 50s she obtained her GED and went on to cosmetology school. She achieved her dream at age 57.

Helen was very active in her church where she volunteered at bingo, funerals, and weddings. She was also active at Sacred Heart Care Center and the Philomathian. She made numerous friends doing “God’s” work and was loved by all who knew her.

Helen loved to travel and was fortunate to have gone to Hawaii, Okinawa, Tokyo, England, and numerous states.

Survivors include her children, Richard (Lynda) Olson, Lehigh Acres, Florida, Anastasia (Tony) Nelson, Tampa, Florida, Peggy (Rick) Pelzl, Lakeville, Minnesota, Edward Olson, Rochester, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley and Teresa; brother; Joe; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Richard; parents, Thomas and Eugenia Campbell; brothers, Alec, Clarence, Harvey, Rossy, and Louis; sister, Sally John; and two babies, Baby Boy Olson and Mary Ann.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Queen of Angels Catholic Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements by Mayer Funeral Home. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com