Verna E. Olson

Verna E. Olson, age 93 of Edinburg, ND, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the First Care Health Center of Park River, ND. Verna Eleanor Hilde was born August 9, 1918 in Dewey Township, Walsh County, the daughter of the late Peter and Ellen (Bergstrom) Hilde. She grew up on the family farm and attended the local rural school and graduated from Fairdale High School in 1937. She then attended Mayville State Teacher's College for 2 years earning her Standard Teaching Certificate. She taught in several rural Walsh County Schools. She moved to Edinburg in 1942 and taught at the Edinburg School for 3 years. While living in Edinburg, she met Kasper Olson, whom she married on August 26, 1945 at the Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church of Fairdale. They lived and farmed on the Olson Family Farm in Tiber Township. There they raised their family of 3 children. In 1961 she returned to the teaching profession. She taught at the Park River Elementary School for 10 years, retiring in 1972. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Edinburg. She taught Sunday school and was an active member of the Trinity WELCA. She was a charter member of Forever Young Senior Citizen's Club where she held the office of President for many years. She was also a member of the Northeast ND Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed bingo, quilting, and bowling. She loved music, especially old time dance music. In 2007 she moved into the Borg Pioneer Memorial Home in Mountain, living there until April 1, 2011 when she moved into the Good Samaritan Center of Park River. Verna is survived by her three children: Kay (David) Johnson, New Lenox, IL, Mary (Bill) Mitchell, Thompson, ND, and Kenneth Olson, Edinburg, ND. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kasper, who passed away in 1983, brother Juel Hilde, and sister Inez Hjelmstad. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Edinburg. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Edinburg. Friends may also call at the church for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Interment will be at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Edinburg, ND.