Mavis Ann Olson, the daughter of Frank and Kathryn (Thompson) Herda was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota on February 19th, 1943. Mavis was born in the city, but they moved to a farm in her younger days. There her dad farmed and worked for Ottertail Power Company. Growing up, she helped with the household duties and in her later school days she drove tractor. She also loved to ride their horse Patty. She graduated from Devils Lake high school in 1961 and went to beauty school in Fargo. She worked as a beautician for two years in Devils Lake.
Mavis married Robert Olson, a school classmate on June 8th, 1963 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake where they had a full day between the church ceremony and the reception at The K.C. Hall. After the wedding, Mavis and Bob moved to Grand Forks for two years while Bob went to college. In 1965 Bob started in store management with the Woolworth Company and they lived in two towns in North Dakota and two towns in Iowa before moving to Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Mavis and Bob welcomed their first child Kristin, born in Williston, North Dakota in 1966. A few years later, they welcomed their second child Keith, born in Cheriton, Iowa in 1969.
When the family moved to Minnesota, Mavis began working for State Farm Insurance company. She worked there for 32 years.
Mavis and Robert have four grandchildren Alexandra, Nicole, Samuel and Christopher and one 3-month-old great-grandchild Emmy. Mavis loved and enjoyed her grand children and now great grandchild. Her grandchildren also loved and respected her deeply. They enjoyed the birthday and Christmas gifts from her. They loved her onion bread at Christmas time.
Mavis enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day in St. Paul. She adored tending to her flowers, feeding the hummingbirds and reading for leisure.
Mavis was proceeded in death by her father Frank and mother Kathryn, as well as two of her siblings, sister Charlotte and brother James.
Mavis and Bob were married for fifty-six years. Mavis passed away at the age of 76 on August 31st, 2019.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Frank and Kathryn Herda, and two Siblings, Charlotte Herda and James Herda.
She is survived by her Husband of 56 years, Robert "Bob" Olson; her two Children, Keith R. (Nancy) Olson, and Kristin Kay (Dave) Ewing; four Grandchildren, Nicole Ann Ewing (Carl Heinig), Samual David Ewing, Alexandra (Andrew) Erickson, and Christopher R. Olson; and one Great-granddaughter, Emmy Erickson; and her Siblings, Richard Herda, and Delores (Greg) Backus.
Visitation will be held 6-8 PM Wednesday 9/4 at
Gearhart Funeral Home
11275 Foley Blvd. NW,
Coon Rapids and again one hour prior to funeral services at 10:30 AM Thursday 9/5 at
Gearhart Funeral Home.
