1943 – Mardella M. Olson – 2018
Mardella was born April 24, 1943 in Windom, Minnesota to Gustav and Anna (Wolter) Gertner. She was baptized and confirmed at Rosehill Lutheran Church. Mardella attended country school before graduating from Westbrook High School in 1961. She then attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa where she sang and traveled with their choir. On April 18, 1963, Mardella was united in marriage to Bob Olson at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook, Minnesota. Together the couple lived and farmed south of Dovray, Minnesota where they raised their children. After the kids were older, Mardella began working as a nurse’s aide at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Care Center. There she worked for nearly 25 years. Mardella also volunteered at the Dovray Café. She was famous for her caramel rolls, and loved having coffee with the ladies in town. She kept busy sewing and made many bridesmaid dresses. Mardella was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she served on the church council and the WELCA, sang at many services, and did quilting. She was a member of the Dovray Legion Auxiliary and Boosters Club. Mardella enjoyed traveling and winters in Phoenix. She also enjoyed golf, bowling, and gardening. She loved spending time with her family and attending all of her grandchildren’s activities. Mardella passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, due to complications after a motor vehicle accident. She was 75 years old.
Mardella is survived by her husband Bob Olson of 55 years; children: Becky (Dan) Sukalski, North Mankato, MN, Nancy (Mark) Boerboom, Slayton, MN and Butch (Sherry) Olson, Dovray, MN; grandchildren: Alex (Devin) Sukalski, Danielle Sukalski (special friend Matt Bulger), Jaden Boerboom (special friend Delaney Fanslau), Camryn, Noah, and Savanna Boerboom, Jamie Olson (special friend Kody Kirsh) and Mariah Olson (special friend Sam Baier); great-grandson Parker Sukalski; siblings: Darwin (Dorothy) Gertner, St. Peter, MN, Elroy (Dot) Gertner, Papillion, NE, and Corlys (Bob) Knudson, Marshall, MN; sisters-in-law: Janice Gertner, Walnut Grove, MN,Betty Gertner, Eau Claire, WI, Karyl Gertner, Westbrook, MN, Lois (Dan) Masters, Cambridge, OH, and Marlys (Duane) Flikke, Elk River, MN; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers: Rodney, Willis and Arlo Gertner.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. (today) Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Interment is in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
