Luella J. Olson

Luella J. Olson, 93, Moorhead, MN, died Saturday, March 18, 2023, surrounded by family and under care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Luella Jean Hein was born September 16, 1929, near Huron, SD, to Arthur and Martha (Drewlow) Hein.  Luella weighed 3 ½ pounds at birth and kept warm by being placed in a cheese box by the stove.  Arthur died when Luella was five months old.  Martha had to operate the farm and raise three children, Wilfred, Mildred and Luella.  In 1930, Martha purchased a farm near Kent, MN, near relatives.  In 1935, Martha passed away.  The children grew up with different family and friends.  Luella shared many stories about those tough times, but she always found a bright spot in those stories shared.  She fondly remembered playing house with friends and making milkweed pods into pickles.

In 1947, Luella graduated from Breckenride, MN High School.   Following graduation, Luella was employed at Soda Fountain in Fargo, ND.   While living in Fargo, Luella went on a blind date with Kenneth Ordean Olson, who later became her “Ken.”  On October 11, 1947, Luella and Kenneth were united in marriage.   After moving a few times, they settled on a farm east of Comstock, MN, raising their five children.   While raising their large family, Luella worked at Ben Franklin in Moorhead, MN for 25 years, retiring in 1991.   Soon after, Ken retired and they spent their winters in Parker, AZ, with a summer home in Breckenridge, MN, and a camper on Spirit Lake.  Ken and Luella celebrated their 75^th wedding anniversary in October 2022.   Sadly, Ken passed away October 24, 2022. 

Luella’s hobbies were crafts, making afghans for family and friends, reading, enjoying time with her great and great-great-grandchildren and while in Arizona, she always enjoyed walking the desert.

Luella accepted her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead. 

Luella’s fondest memory of growing up was running outside in gentle falling rain and running through the puddles on the fresh green grass.  Mother, may you enjoy many heavenly days, doing just that…

Luella is survived by her five children, Gerald of Bismarck, ND, Stephanie (Dennis) Hensel of St. Cloud, MN, LCDR Wayne (Connie) of Great Falls, MT, Roger (Marian) of Moorhead, MN, Alan (Tammie) of White Earth, MN; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 75 years, Kenneth; one brother, Wilfred; one sister, Mildred Matz; and daughter-in-law, Connie Blumer Olson.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 24, 2023, 11 am at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Luella will be laid to rest next to her husband, Ken at Fargo National VA Cemetery, Harwood, MN.  

To join Luella's family for her Celebration of Life please click the following link:

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