Lavon Olson

Lavon L. Olson, 88, Barrett, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2009, at the Bethan Home in Alexandria. Funeral services for Lavon will be held at 1pm on Thursday, March 12, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett; burial will be in the Lincoln Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hoffman. Friends may call at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home from 5-7 Wednesday evening; visitation will resume at the church one hour before the service on Thursday. Lavon was born on January 15, 1921, in Berlin, North Dakota, to Hans George and Clara Josephine (Ness) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist church, and attended and graduated from high school in Berlin. On October 5, 1941, Lavon was united in marriage to Roland Esrom Olson in Las Vegas, Nevada. While Roland fulfilled his military duty, Lavon worked in the shipyards in Vancouver, Washington. Lavon lived near Barrett and worked at the Elbow Lake Community Hospital for over 30 years. She belonged to the Barrett American Legion Auxiliary, was dedicated to the Grant County DFL, and was an active church member. Lavon enjoyed crocheting, knitting, making quilts, and was talented at most arts and crafts. She liked music, was a fan of the Minnesota Twins, and took a number of bus tours throughout the United States. Proud of her Scandinavian heritage, Lavon also traveled to Norway and Denmark. She also made several trips to Minot, North Dakota, for Hostfest. Survivors include her children Nancy (Claremont) Anderson of Hoffman, Jo (George) Linkert of Rogers, Bonnie Keaton of Blaine, Susan Severson of Moorhead, Geary (Connie) Olson of Barrett, and Rod (Cathy) Olson of Moorhead; grandchildren Darren Anderson, Jay Lee Leaf, Terry Anderson, George Matthew Linkert, Sara Burfeind, Melanie Backman, Erik Gulbrandson, Joshua Gulbrandson, Jeremy Gulbrandson, Erin Stabnow, Katti Woerner, Chad Olson, Luke Olson, Jared Olson, Jason Olson, and Randy Olson; great-grandchildren Keely Anderson, Kirsten Anderson, Amelia Leaf, Christina Leaf, Cassandra Leaf, Ryker Anderson, Will Anderson, Tyra Anderson, Maeve Linkert, Cecelia Linkert, Ella Burfeind, Avae Burfeind, Hans Burfeind, Amber Backman, Rachel Backman, Megan Backman, Jake Gulbrandson, Benjamin Gulbrandson, Blake Stabnow, Lauren Stabnow, Mason Olson; and one great-great-grandson, James.

Lavon was preceded in death by her husband Roland; her parents; two sisters; one brother; and one grandson, Major Stuart M. Anderson.

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