Barbara Ann Olson

Barbara Ann (Bilstad) Olson, 86, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth, MN.

Barb was born on August 24, 1938, to Winston and Margaret (Bergstrom) Bilstad at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. She grew up in Fargo where she attended and graduated from Fargo Central High School. She attended a university in Miami, FL, for one year before returning to Fargo where she attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing, graduating with her Diploma of Nursing in 1960. She then began her career in nursing by taking a position at Union Hospital in Mayville, ND, as a registered nurse. Barb was set up on a blind date with the future love of her life, Don Olson, at Herb Johnson’s Barn in Arthur, ND. They were united in marriage on April 29, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN.

Barb and Don settled on the family farm west of Blanchard, ND, where they farmed and raised their family for 25 years. During that time, Barb worked at Union Hospital in Mayville and Hillsboro Community Hospital. She later worked at Luther Memorial Home and taught occupational health at Mayville-Portland High School. In 1989, Barb and Don moved to Fargo, ND, where she continued her nursing career. Over the next few years, she lived at and worked as the Director of Nurses in various towns across the area, including Moorhead, MN, Park Rapids, MN, Alexandria, MN, and Menahga, MN, eventually retiring and moving to rural Audubon, MN. Barb and Don later moved back to Moorhead, MN, where they have lived ever since.

Barb enjoyed quilting, wood carving, sewing, baking, and doing puzzles. She enjoyed watching Bison football and the Twins baseball, especially with her family. Through the years she belonged to the Prairie Gals Homemakers Club, church circle groups, and taught Sunday school. She was very active in her children’s lives and supported the many activities they were involved in. Most of all, Barb had a big heart that she shared with everyone. She was generous with her time and her home, her doors were always open to those in need. She hosted many family reunions and get togethers, and lovingly opened her doors to many foster children during her lifetime.

Barb is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Don; children, Howard (Nancy) Olson, Chris (Jeff) McInnes, Kirsten (Gary) Friedt, Joel Olson, Douglas Olson, and Andrea (Brent) Lewis; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; siblings, Peter Bilstad, Mary Vigen, and Margaret (Rick) Nelson; sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Jerry) Protextor; and many other loving relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Winston and Margaret; and brothers, Paul Bilstad and Douglas Bowers.

Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., followed by the prayer service and a time of sharing at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., Monday, December 23, 2024, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN. A livestream of the prayer service and the memorial service will be available on her webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found. Final resting place will be at Clifford Cemetery, Clifford, ND, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.