Helen Olson

Helen Inga (Lovstuen) Olson, age 90, of Decorah died suddenly Sunday, March 10, 2019 of kidney and heart failure at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Funeral services were held at Glenwood Lutheran Church, rural Decorah Monday, March 18 with Rev. Stacey Nalean-Carlson officiating. Interment was at Glenwood East Cemetery, Decorah.

Helen was born September 9, 1928 to Inga (Ehrie) and Helmer Lovstuen at their farm (established 1854) in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County. She was baptized and confirmed at Glenwood Lutheran Church. Helen attended Glenwood #5 (Lee) country school and graduated from Decorah High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1947. She worked for Attorney Shea as a secretary until she married.

September 25, 1949, she married Vernon Thomas Lien Olson at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev. Norman Dversdahl officiating. They farmed with her parents and purchased the family farm in 1955 where they raised their seven children.

Helen enjoyed attending Vern’s softball games and the many activities of their children and grandchildren. She was an avid spectator at many area sporting events. Helen liked sewing, baking, playing cards, reading and crossword puzzles. She was an active member of Glenwood Lutheran Church, including Mother’s Club, Ladies Aid and Circle. She also volunteered with Hospice and RSVP and was an Arc of Winneshiek County member.

Throughout her life, Helen was a thoughtful, caring and loving wife, mom, daughter, grandma, great-grandma, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, cousin, aunt, friend and neighbor. She was known for sharing her raspberries and baked goods with others. Since you are reading this, you have probably received one of the many greeting cards she sent for every occasion.

Helen’s survivors include her daughters: Dianne (Joel) Borowski of Decorah, Donna Faldet of Decorah, Vicki (Dave) Westendorf of Waverly, Linda Olson of Ames and Lisa Olson (Deb Melrose) of Minneapolis, MN; a son-in-law, Keith Ellingson of Indianola; 16 grandchildren: Wade (Jennifer) Teslow, Ryan (Katie) Teslow, Sarah (Ted) Strahm, Beth Borowski; Holly (Bill) Sires, Michael (Sarah) McConnell, Michelle (Pat) Blake, Felicia Faldet (Don Richardson), Cassandra (Jeremiah) Cook; Jordan (Jake) Larson, Jenny (Tim) Jensen, Tom (Lacie) Westendorf, Amy (Jeremey) Stevens; Jessica (Joel) Hull, Catie Ellingson and Bailey (Andrew) Nelson; and 36 great-grandchildren: Logan, Tierani, Brynley and Ryker Teslow, Landon and Lennox Teslow, Hudson, Rylan and Avery Strahm; Preston and Mason Sires, Collin and Caroline McConnell, Brock, Abigail, Luke and Jude Blake, Isabelle, Jaxon, Katerina and Lucy Cook; Blake, Quinn and Drew Larson, Jocelyn Roof and Fletcher Gerrans, Chase and Chloe Westendorf, Mayson Sutton, Natalie Sutton and Neela Stevens; Hayden, Leah and Lauren Hull, Tucker and Teddy Nelson; and the family of Arlin Hanson.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her son, Randy; her daughter, Kristi Ellingson; a great-granddaughter, Caitlin Sires; her sisters-in-law: Agnes (Donald) Gilson, Irene (Hillman) Sersland, Viola (John) Swingle, Ruth Storey, Florence (Henry) Ode, Myrtle (Lloyd) Graham and Stella “Kelly” (Robert) Mitchell; a brother-in-law, Millard (Maxine) Olson; and a special friend, Arlin Hanson.

Casketbearers were Helen’s granddaughters, Holly Sires, Michelle Blake, Felicia Faldet, Cassie Cook, Jordan Larson, Jessica Hull, Catie Ellingson, Bailey Nelson, Sarah Strahm, Beth Borowski, Jenny Jensen and Amy Stevens. Honorary casketbearers were Lois Loven, Iona Crawford, Bev Tangen, Grace Peterson and June Soland.

Schluter-Balik Funeral Home of Decorah assisted the family with arrangements.