Elizabeth “Betty” Olson, 96, of Luverne died Sunday, Aug. 11, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.
Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, with an 11 a.m. funeral service at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial is at Flowerfield Cemetery near Steen.
Elizabeth Carmilla Johnson was born May 13, 1928, in Columbia, Montana. As an infant, she was welcomed into the loving home of Chris and Magna (Hanson) Johnson in Valier, Montana, where she was raised with her brother Harold and attended country school.
In 1955 she met Alvin Olson from Luverne as he traveled with the wheat harvest crews, who frequently came to work in the Valier area.
As a couple they made their home while farming on the eastern edge of Luverne along Blue Mound Avenue. In that home, they raised their three children, Arvin, Avis and Mavis. Alvin preceded her in death on June 9, 1985.
Her primary job was as a wife and mother. She later added a secondary job working part time at Luverne Elementary School, where she served 29 years as the playground supervisor. She enjoyed her secondary job and is still well-known by many who remember her strict enforcement of the rules and her soft heart.
Betty loved her farm home and especially enjoyed her beloved cats. She lived on the acreage until the summer of 2010, when she moved into the Blue Mound Tower in Luverne. She and her cat Precious were welcomed into the Tower community, who convinced her to join many social activities and helped celebrate her 90th birthday with a special party in her honor.
In August 2023, Betty moved to the Tuff Home, where she was cared for and loved by staff and residents. She was honored by her Tuff family this June when she was selected as the Tuff Home queen and represented the home during the Hills Friendship Days parade.
Betty will be remembered by her children Arvin (Carol) Olson of New Prague and Mavis (Bryan) Fodness of Hardwick, son-in-law Warren Dragstra of Chandler, 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents Chris and Magda, her husband Alvin, brother Harold (Helen) Johnson, daughter Avis on Dec. 24, 2011, and granddaughter Heather Zinns on July 5, 2023.
Hartquist Funeral Home, Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.
