Elizabeth C. Olson

Elizabeth “Betty” Carmilla Johnson was born May 13, 1928, in Columbia, Montana.

As an infant, she was welcomed into the loving home of Chris and Magda (Hanson) Johnson in Valier, Montana, where she was raised with her brother Harold and attended country school.

In 1955, she met Alvin Olson from Luverne as he traveled with the wheat harvest crews, who frequently came to work in the Valier area.

As a couple they made their home while farming on the eastern edge of Luverne along Blue Mound Avenue. In that home, they raised their three children Arvin, Avis and Mavis. Alvin preceded her in death on June 9, 1985.

Her primary job was as a wife and mother. She later added a secondary job working part-time with Luverne Elementary School, where she served 29 years as the playground supervisor. She enjoyed her secondary job and is still well known by many who remember her strict enforcement of the rules and soft heart.

Betty loved her farm home and especially enjoyed her beloved cats. She lived on the acreage until the summer of 2010, when she moved into the Blue Mound Tower in Luverne. She and her cat Precious were welcomed into the Tower community, who convinced her to join many social activities and helped celebrate her 90th birthday with a special party in her honor.

In August 2023, Betty moved to the Tuff Memorial Home, where she was cared for and loved by staff and residents. Her special place at Tuff was honored this June when she was selected as the Tuff Home queen and represented the home during the Hills Friendship Days parade.

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Betty died in Tuff Memorial Home at the age of 96 years, two months and 29 days.

Betty will be remembered by her children, Arvin (Carol) Olson of New Prague and Mavis (Bryan) Fodness of Hardwick; son-in-law, Warren Dragstra of Chandler; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, Eric (Cassie) Olson and Kohen and Lennon, Kevin (Kelsey) Olson, Jenny (Ryan) Hondlik and Remmington and Edward, Katelyn (Zach) Hinricher and Skylar and Olivia, Nathan (Elise Barnes) Olson, Andrew (Laura) Fodness and Emmett and Kade, Courtney (Andy) Blenner and Jayden and Logan, Lyndsey Fodness (Adam Hartman) and Elliot and Easton, Adam Fodness, Susan (Kent) Sime and Cailey and Brock, Joshua Dragstra, Israel Zinns and Ava and Aidyn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; daughter, Avis on December 24, 2011; granddaughter, Heather Zinns on July 5, 2023; parents, Chris and Magda; and brother and sister-in-law, Harold (Helen) Johnson.