Doris T. Olson

Doris Theresa (Kressin) Olson, aged 98, of Moorhead, Minnesota, passed into eternal glory on July 29, 2026, in her home at River Pointe. She was surrounded by loving family and friends, having suffered a stroke, and after a brief period of time in hospice care.

Doris was born March 22, 1928, in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The daughter of Mathilda Martha Catherine Radig and Arthur August Henry Kressin, Doris was raised alongside eight sisters and three brothers.

She graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1946, where she was an honor roll student, was a member of the National Honorary Society, the Junior Playmakers, the Senior Sextet Chorus, and the Afternoon Girls’ Glee Club, of which she briefly served as secretary for the club. She then went on to attend college in Moorhead and Valley City. She participated in speech competitions, and her mother, Mathilda, was her coach.

Doris married Edwin Melbourne Olson, son of Arthur and Lillian (Erickson) Olson, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton, North Dakota on June 25, 1949. Her brother, Kenneth Erwin Kressin, served in the Army alongside Eddie, and he introduced him to Doris. Doris always said he was the nicest man she had ever met. They were married for 67 beautiful and prosperous years, and walked together through many different seasons of life, challenges, and adventures together. Edwin passed away in the home that they built and lived in for over fifteen years in Dilworth, Minnesota, on August 18, 2016. They spent time during Edwin’s retirement years in Greeley and Boulder, Colorado, and Mesa, Arizona. They welcomed five children, sixteen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.

Doris was a school teacher, and several of her students attended her milestone events over the years. Subsequently, she was a senior manager for Tupperware for eight years, of which her accolades included being awarded a new car due to her impressive sales numbers. Doris and Eddie owned and operated a raspberry farm in Bellingham, WA and the Olson’s Drive In restaurant in Ada, MN. Additionally, she was the manager of senior housing at Presbyterian Manor in Boulder, Colorado, and was lauded for her dedication to that community.

She was known for her love of playing Bingo, going to the Legion to support the local charities, listening to Neil Diamond, her childhood horse Babe, putting ice cubes down the back of people’s shirts, hiding plastic snakes and spiders where you’d least expect it, calling grandkids “Toady,” and “Henry,” and playing cards with her family and friends. “Pass the salt” and “I need my lipstick” were some of her signature phrases.

They participated in a bowling league for over a decade, and Doris was an exceptional partner to friends and family when playing Bridge, Whist, or Pinochle. She was once the champion of a local Whist tournament and was given a beautiful glass trophy. However, she made it known that she would have preferred the second-place prize of $25 cash instead.

Doris regularly attended church with Eddie and were active members in church groups, bible studies, and participated in Stephen Ministries. Doris was dedicated to serving the Lord and helping others.

Remaining to cherish Doris’ memory are her children, Cheryl (John) Watt, Eileen Phillips, Beverly Cahill, Marian (Mark) Peterson, Larry (Allison) Olson; her grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding Doris in death is her husband, Edwin; her siblings, Louise, Lucille, Corwin, Gertrude, Kenneth, Alberta, Charlotte, Franklin, Emily, Slyvia, and Marjorie; her parents, Arthur and Mathilda; and sons-in-law, Dan Phillips and Steve Cahill.

Doris’ memorial service will be held at Dilworth Lutheran Church on September 5, 2026. Visitation at 2 pm, service at 3 pm, with a light dinner to follow.

Interment will be on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 10:30 AM in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.