Martha E. Nordby Olson

Martha was born February 22, 1918 in Mobridge, South Dakota; daughter of Olaf and Maren (Nesland) Nordby. She attended school in Erskine, Minnesota and graduated from high school in 1938. She worked and traveled until she married Henry Olson on November 10, 1944 in Anchorage, Alaska. They made their home in Suntrana at the Usibelli Coal Mine and in Fairbanks, AK where they began a family.

The family moved to Lake Stevens, WA in 1958 where Martha raised her four children and lived in the same house for 50 years. Martha enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, puzzles, and playing solitaire. She also loved to travel, especially to family reunions. She has visited 37 of the 50 states and six foreign countries.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry; brothers, Barney, Harold, Einar and Ragnar; twin brother, George; and sister, Dagne Smith.

She is survived by sisters, Gudrun Van Fleet, of North Dakota, and Louise Hoyum, of Minnesota; and brother, Marvin Nordby, of Oregon. She leaves her children, Warren Olson, of Bellingham, WA, Elaine Sebring, of Lake Stevens, WA, Donald Olson and wife, Annett Gamble-Olson, of Arlington, WA, and Steven Olson, of Lake Stevens. She also leaves five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and long time friend, Murle Thomas.

A Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Purdy & Walters w/Cassidy Funeral Home in Everett.