Muriel Olson, 93
Muriel Angeline (Bergseth) Olson of Benson was received by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 11, 2012 with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.
- Muriel Olson
Muriel Angeline (Bergseth) Olson of Benson was received by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 11, 2012 with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Muriel passed away peacefully from this world and was reunited with her husband, Donald Olson after 60 years.
Muriel was born September 9, 1919 in Odessa to Lars and Elizabeth (Johnson) Bergseth and grew up on a farm by Ortonville with her 12 brothers and sisters. Muriel was baptized and confirmed at Eides Lutheran Church and attended Clinton High School in Clinton.
She was married on October 22, 1947 to Donald Simon Olson, owner of the Northside Meat Market in Benson.
In November of 1951, the couple was blessed with a daughter, Nancy Kay. In October of 1952, a week before Nancy’s first birthday, Donald passed away from complications of polio. As a pioneer of single parenting, Muriel raised her daughter with the help of Donald’s parents, Ida and Peter Olson.
Muriel was an active member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church of Benson.
Muriel worked as an accountant at the Swift County Courthouse and then at the Swift County Highway Department until her retirement in September of 1984.
Muriel will be remembered for her strong will and independence, but mostly for her devotion to her family. Most weekends, with Nancy beside her, Muriel would return to the family farm in Ortonville, a tradition she continued as long as she was able. With the arrival of her grandchildren, she split her time between visits to the “Farm Friends” in Ortonville and her grandchildren in Alexandria.
Her grandchildren will never forget the excitement of seeing Grandma Muriel drive up for a visit to the family cottage on Lake Minnewaska. She always came with a surprise, oftentimes it was her gingersnaps or chocolate chip cookies placed carefully in an ice cream bucket labeled with her initials to ensure it was returned for future treats. One time the surprise was a live bat she found outside her window. She scooped it up in a Cool Whip container, and brought it to the lake so the grandchildren could see it.
Muriel enjoyed seeing joy in other people and was generous to those around her.
In July 1999, Muriel moved to Alexandria to be closer to Nancy and her family. She lived independently until a stroke confined her to a wheelchair in the spring of 2004. She came to reside at the Knute Nelson Home in Alexandria in June of 2011. Her family is thankful for a wonderful reunion this past July that included all Muriel’s grandchildren and all seven great-grandchildren. Her entire family is thankful for the love and care provided by the staff on Maples at the Knute Nelson Home and Hospice of Douglas County.
We find joy in Muriel’s faith in Jesus Christ and her heavenly reunion with family and friends. We especially rejoice in the reunion of Donald and Muriel. For those of us still bound by earthly bodies, we can only imagine the joy.
Muriel is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Galen Jergenson of Alexandria; three grandchildren and their spouses, Eric and Teri Jergenson of Stockton Springs, ME, Jenna and Michael Enderle of Bloomington, Andrew and Victoria Jergenson of Glenwood; her sisters and brother, Hazel Bergseth, Deloras Bergseth and Harold Bergseth of Ortonville. Muriel’s legacy and memory will live on with her seven great-grandchildren, Christian, Lidia, Isabelle, Rowan, Charles, Gaven and Eleanor.
Muriel was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents and nine brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 14 at 10 a.m. at Knute Nelson Chapel in Alexandria. Burial will be at Benson City Cemetery in Benson.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.
A00009B2012NV14
Tags: obituaries
Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.
RSS Feeds