Geneva C. Olsen

Geneva C. Olsen, 90, Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, MN, died there on Sunday, March 30, 2008.Geneva C. Helgeson was born on May 15, 1917, in Brinsmade, ND, to Clarence and Gustina Skadland Helgeson. She grew up on the farm and attended school in Minnewauken, ND, graduating from high school there. She attended Business College in Grand Forks, ND, and then worked in Bismarck, ND, as secretary to North Dakota Governor Langer. Gen married Reo Olsen on December 24, 1941, in Pensacola, FL, where they made their home while he served as a Navy Pilot. Following his service, they lived in various communities while raising a family of four children. They came to Moorhead and she worked as a secretary at Moorhead State University for fifteen years, retiring in 1978. In retirement, she and Reo travelled and shared time between their lake home on Rush Lake in Minnesota and their winter home in Lillian, AL. Reo died on May 2, 2004 and Gen lived at Elim Home in Fargo and then at Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead.Gen was happy, loving, energetic, resourceful, and adventuresome. Her faith in God and love of Christ were evident in how she lived her life and raised her children. She was loved and admired by all who had the pleasure of knowing her and she will be greatly missed.Geneva is survived by two sons, Roger Carole Olsen, Moorhead, Mark Marilyn Olsen, Helena, MT; two daughters, Donna Mark Voxland, Moorhead, Cheryl Kelly, Durham, NC; a brother, Harlan Ethel Helgeson, Rugby, ND; sisters, Evelyn Glen Chapman, Everett, WA, Marilyn Aanderud, Longview, WA; twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister, Hazelle Helgeson.