Donna M. Olson

Donna Mae (Bemis) Olson, 78, of Moorhead, Minn., died unexpectedly July 5, 2020, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D.

Donna was born to Louis and Verna (Jones) Bemis in New Rockford, N.D., and grew up in Williston, N.D., where the family operated a grocery store. She graduated from Williston High School in 1960 and then headed to Josef’s School of Hair Design in Fargo. One day when she and her roommate were walking into town to buy magazines, a young man in a white convertible drove up and asked if they’d like a ride. That proved a life-changing journey that lasted around 50 years.

She and the young man, Emil Robert “Bob” Olson, married March 25, 1961. Together, they raised three children, Jarrod, Jennifer and Kevin on a farm outside Moorhead. She graduated from Josef’s Hair Design and worked as a hairstylist until giving it up to concentrate on raising their children and helping with the family farming operation. The Olsons grew sugar beets, wheat, barley and some soybeans. Under Bob and Donna’s leadership, they received many awards in agriculture.

She maintained the house while acting as chauffeur from field to field, fixing lunches at a moment’s notice, and running errands for the farming operation. In addition, through the years, she was a member of several groups, including PEO, the Extension Advisory Board, Couples’ Club, a homemakers’ group, a ceramics group and was the leader for Valley 4-H for many years even after her own children had left the group. Bob died Feb. 21, 2011, just one month short of 50 years of marriage.

Donna was a woman of strong faith. She was a longtime member of Bethesda Lutheran Church and served on its church circle, church council as well as Altar Guild and taught 3- and 4-year-olds at Wednesday school.

Whatever role she served in, she was the ultimate hostess. No matter who you were or where you were, she wanted to make sure you felt welcome. There were no strangers in Donna Olson’s home – and what a home it was. Her holiday tables could’ve made Martha Stewart jealous. Nobody left hungry, and her food was so good you wanted to try everything.

As much as she enjoyed gatherings of people, Donna’s family and God meant everything to her. She loved nothing more than the days when her kids all gathered at her home. She was especially delighted when granddaughters Charlie (Charlotte) and Emmie (Emilia) joined the family.

Survivors include her children, Jarrod (Anita) Olson of Minden, Neb., Jennifer Olson of Windsor, Conn., and Kevin (Erin) Olson of Delano, Minn.; two granddaughters, Charlotte and Emilia Olson of Delano, Minn.; sister-in-law Diane Olson (Beckerleg) and brother-in-law Dan Zimmerman of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; and special friend, Donald Rodger.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

Memorials are preferred to Evergreen Cemetery, Bethesda Lutheran Church, or Luther Seminary.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead. Visitation will continue on Saturday, July 11, at 1:00 P.M and the funeral service will start at 2:00 P.M. at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead. Burial will take place at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead. A live stream of the funeral will be available on her page at www.wrightfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Bethesda Lutheran Church or Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date.