Maude Olson

Maude Edna Morcomb Olson, 102, of Brainerd, MN passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2015.

She was born at home on January 8, 1913 to Edna (Hesselgrave) and George Morcomb.

She was raised on a farm along the banks of the Nokassippi River in South Long Lake Township, near Brainerd. Her parents sent her to high school where she learned a love of poetry, reading and the value of education for her children. At home she found working with animals to be her favorite job. Growing vegetables, canning, cooking, sewing, and caring for her younger siblings filled each day with something to learn.

Maude graduated from Brainerd High School in 1931. She worked as a nanny during high school and after graduation as a cook at Parkerville. She married Carl Arthur Olson on July 31, 1934. Maude farmed with her husband, brother-in-law, Earl and father-in-law, Andrew and began raising a family not far from her parents in Long Lake Township. In 1948, Carl and Maude moved down the road to another farm where the last two of her seven children were born. Maude's life as wife and mother also included involvement in community groups as a 4-H leader, Cub Scout leader, and participation in a Farm Womens' Service Club, which included making quilts for raffle. In 1959, they moved to Baxter, MN where she lived for 47 years enjoying gardening, bird watching, and traveling.

From 2006 to the time of her death, she resided at her apartment in the Good Samaritan - Woodlands Residential Care Center in Brainerd. Gracious to the end, she was always happy to see family and friends. Maude remained interested in reading and nature discussing any topic knowledgably. She was the family historian and kept volumes of notes regarding where and when important events occurred. Family was the center of her life and she was the center of their lives.

Maude is survived by six children, Marie Hicks Zander, of Brainerd, MN, Lewis (Helen) of Phoenix, AZ, Carole (John) Gilbert, of St. Davids, PA, Rodney (Carol), of Rice Lake, WI, Terrance (Deborah Lane), of East Canaan, CT, and Luana (James) Koski, of Brainerd, MN, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and many, many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; her son, Leon; and grandsons, Forrest Olson and Luke Heltemes.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 1 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN. The funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 2:00 PM with a visitation one hour before the service also at the Brenny Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Good Samaritan - Woodland, in Brainerd, MN.