Evelyn Grace Olson

Evelyn Grace (Aronson) Olson was born March 28, 1929, to Edward Aronson and Anna (Larson) Aronson. She died February 5, 2026, at Bethesda Grand, at the age of 96. Evelyn was known affectionately as “Evie.” She was the middle child in her family, following her brother, Ed, and preceding her sister, Irene. Her family resided in Willmar. Evie attended First Covenant Church with and married her classmate Ralph W. Olson on April 13, 1951, at Fort Rucker, Alabama, while Ralph was serving in the Army. Mom pursued many interests with passion while growing up. She was very artistic and dreamed of painting in Paris. She enrolled in an art correspondence course but kept her pursuits this side of the pond. Mom illustrated her high school yearbook, The Wihisean, two First Covenant Church cookbooks, and a book by Rev. Nathaniel Franklin, Jesus at Home. She also did live chalk drawings of Jesus at various churches; one memorable one she did was of “Jesus Christ at Dawn.” Mom’s grocery and “to do” lists were always accompanied by doodles and drawings of fancy ladies and whimsical children. Her creativity encapsulated so much joy. Mom was also an accomplished classically trained pianist, a talent we did not know of until she bought a used Acrosonic piano when her children were young. We kids were enthralled as we waited outside for the school bus as Mom pounded

Chopin’s “Polynaise” with gusto through the open windows. What a way to start the day! Mom shared her love of swimming and horseback riding with her family and incorporated both activities on vacations to the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone Park, and Colorado Springs. Mom loved to travel, and with an inheritance from a loving uncle, was able to gift her family with trips to Jamaica and Hawaii, which in turn spurred Robin’s and Joan’s frequent trips to the islands. Mom and Dad also were able to travel to Mexico. She and Dad made frequent visits to their children in Texas, Colorado, and Florida. While raising her family, Mom worked part time at JC Penney, Tom and Bill’s Red Owl, and the Willmar State Hospital. She also worked in the office at the Peterson’s Shoe Store, which she and Ralph, and then Robin and Joan Olson owned. 

Mom’s greatest passion was raising her children; it fed her nurturing soul just as it fed ours. Mom was always ready to lend a listening and compassionate ear, a heart that would try to see the best in every situation and person, and a faith that, in the end, everything would turn out for the best. She lived her love, and followed Christ’s path. One of Mom’s greatest joys was caring for her grandsons, Christopher and Jackson, when they moved from Denver, Colorado to Willmar when they were very young. Her camera was always close by as she photographed their antics. She would jot down notes daily of funny or enlightening things they would say, do, or make her laugh. Keeping up with those two

kept her young physically and in spirit. She treasured her time with them. We have all been truly blessed by being one she called her own. Mom is survived by her children: Terry (Meg), of Richardson, TX, Robin, of Willmar, Cathy, of Willmar, and Caroline (Lou Cucco) of Orlando, FL; grandchildren Christopher (fiancée Priya Natarajan) of Columbus, OH, Jackson Muldrow, of Denver, CO, and Joshua Husby of Orlando, FL; her nephew, Michael Gaarder, of Pacifica, Washington; niece Pamela Orozco of Evansville, WY; several nieces and nephews, and friends. 

Evie was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Olson in 2022, her parents, siblings and their spouses, Ed (Evelyn) Aronson, Irene (Gary) Gaarder and her in-laws Martin and Martha Olson, Leon (Eleanor), Floyd (Greta), Gerald (Delores), Donald (Darlene), Margaret (Richard) Haas and Jean (Donald) Sands; daughter-in-law Joan Lucas Olson, son-in-law Bill Bannon; nephew Alan Olson, and niece Mari Rothman. Blessed be her memory. 

A joint celebration of Evie’s and Ralph’s lives will be held at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home June 6, 2026, at noon. There will be a private family internment with military honors at Calvary Cemetery.  www.petersonbrothers.com