Margaret Olsen

Margaret Olsen died at St. John’s Lutheran Home Sunday evening, May 24, 2009, surrounded by loving family. She was 89 years of age, born August 27, 1919 in Kalispell, MT to Rev. Charles and Pauline (Pederson) Fritz. After attending school in Glenville, MN, and graduating from Albert Lea High School, she married Carlyle Olsen on July 16, 1938.

Margaret was a member of First Lutheran Church, where she was active in Women’s Circle, Study Club and the church choir. For many years she was a popular soloist, piano and painting teacher. She displayed her artwork at numerous art shows around town, and spent countless hours with the Albert Lea Art Center. She was active in Civic Music and had served as president with that group.

She loved cooking, gardening, sewing, and raising her family.

Margaret is survived by: children Terry (Sharon) Olsen of Bremerton, WA, Sally (Robert) Cleve of Tucson, AZ, Sue (Dennis) Geiken of Brooksville, FL, John (Valerie) Olsen of Austin, TX, and Nancy (Damian) Vraniak of Springbrook, WI; grandchildren Chris (Linda) Olsen, Greg Olsen, Tim Olsen, Lisa (Wayne) Rosenberger, Jay (Cheryl) Enderson, Tina (Tim) Jensen and Anastasia Albert; great-grandchildren Alex, Josh and Logan Enderson, Sami Jensen, and Jordan Olsen; brothers Eliel (Marian) Fritz, and John (Doris) Fritz; and sisters Harriet Esse, Nancy Christian and Mae Skindlov. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Carlyle, her parents, brother Paul Fritz and sister Sylvia Frerichs.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Visitation will be held Friday, June 12, 2009 from 4 until 8 PM at the Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.


Memorials preferred to the Albert Lea Art Center.