1952
Wanda
2012
Wanda Olson
July 8, 1952 — August 30, 2012
WANDA MARIE OLSON was born on July 8, 1952 to Lorraine Brisbois and Herbert Olson in Kodiak, Alaska. The family moved back to Lengby Minnesota, living on a farm on the White Earth Reservation
She attended school in Hibbing and graduated from Billings Senior High School, Billings, Montana. Later, she finished her education at the University of ND in Fargo, ND with a degree in occupational therapy.
Employed by a therapy group, she served assignments in Farmington, NM, Texas, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes and Ely, MN. In Ely, she bought a cabin which was her much-loved retreat summer and winter. In all her travels, including college, she always had a cat or a dog, as she loved animals. Wanda was quick-witted, liked to joke and play jokes and her laugh would bring smiles to everyone around her.
As a therapist, she worked hard to find new avenues of relief for her patients, interests to occupy their time and help them recover. She spent a year or more learning the Feldenchrist discipline of therapy and often did private home care. Wanda was creative in many ways, including art, gardening and cooking and she loved music. She liked to read, especially to children and to her nephew, Alex.
She continued to love the water, becoming an expert kayaker in Minnesota lakes. She liked to experiment with healthy foods and recipes. Wanda loved without restraint - her family, friends, and patients.
She lived happily in the country outside Hibbing with her partner, Gary Carlson for many years, moving into town only after her lung condition made it mandatory.
Wanda’s free and smiling spirit made life seem good to all of us.
Passing before her were her parents, and her brother Bart. Surviving her are her sisters, Tina Rae Olson and Vanessa Swanson, nephews Alex and Rory and many cousins.
A casual memorial gathering will be held at 7563 Pine Tree Road, Side Lake MN 55781 (Tina’s home) .....time: 1:00, September 8, with a luncheon/barbeque afterward.
She attended school in Hibbing and graduated from Billings Senior High School, Billings, Montana. Later, she finished her education at the University of ND in Fargo, ND with a degree in occupational therapy.
Employed by a therapy group, she served assignments in Farmington, NM, Texas, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes and Ely, MN. In Ely, she bought a cabin which was her much-loved retreat summer and winter. In all her travels, including college, she always had a cat or a dog, as she loved animals. Wanda was quick-witted, liked to joke and play jokes and her laugh would bring smiles to everyone around her.
As a therapist, she worked hard to find new avenues of relief for her patients, interests to occupy their time and help them recover. She spent a year or more learning the Feldenchrist discipline of therapy and often did private home care. Wanda was creative in many ways, including art, gardening and cooking and she loved music. She liked to read, especially to children and to her nephew, Alex.
She continued to love the water, becoming an expert kayaker in Minnesota lakes. She liked to experiment with healthy foods and recipes. Wanda loved without restraint - her family, friends, and patients.
She lived happily in the country outside Hibbing with her partner, Gary Carlson for many years, moving into town only after her lung condition made it mandatory.
Wanda’s free and smiling spirit made life seem good to all of us.
Passing before her were her parents, and her brother Bart. Surviving her are her sisters, Tina Rae Olson and Vanessa Swanson, nephews Alex and Rory and many cousins.
A casual memorial gathering will be held at 7563 Pine Tree Road, Side Lake MN 55781 (Tina’s home) .....time: 1:00, September 8, with a luncheon/barbeque afterward.
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