Mary Ann Olson

Mary Ann Olson, 83, of Charles City, died peacefully at her home of six years 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home.

A funeral Mass for Mary Ann Olson will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City with Reverend Tom Heathershaw officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service at the church on Tuesday.

Mary Ann (Vodraska) Olson, the daughter of Aloysius and Luella (Alig) Vodraska, was born at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on June 30, 1942, in Pocahontas, Iowa. She graduated from Pocahontas, then furthered her education at Mt. Mercy College to pursue her passion for a teaching degree.

Mary Ann met the love of her life, Curtis Olson, while working at a drug store in Pocahontas. The couple was united in marriage on June 8, 1963. This union was blessed with a daughter, Lynn Marie, and a son, John Curtis. They made their home in Marion, Iowa where Mary Ann was a teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School. Later, the family moved to Charles City, Iowa where Mary Ann taught for over 30 years at Immaculate Conception Catholic School as a 2nd grade teacher.

Mary Ann loved teaching and the kids adored her. To this day she would run into her "grown up" children she taught over the years and they would say, "Best 2nd grade teacher ever!" Mary Ann loved hearing that.

To Mary Ann and Curt, family was very important. Whether it was camping, motorcycle riding, boating, shopping trips or always celebrating every holiday possible; Mary Ann made sure the family had lots of pictures and videos to treasure those memories.

Later in life Curt and Mary Ann traveled on the bus tours with the Heritage Club and did a lot of sightseeing. One trip was very special because her sister was able to come along to Las Vegas! Summers were busy and she and her sister frequented bus trips to Tama.

Mary Ann often said her life was full. Family was number one in her life. Becoming grandparents to all of their grandchildren was so special.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis; parents; husband's parents; sister-in-law; and brothers-in-law.

Living family members include her daughter, Lynn (Andy) Rice of Little Cedar; son, John (Toni) Olson of Charles City; sister, Janet Schwanz of Storm Lake; four grandchildren: Eric Bremer (Megan Hahn), Stacey Bremer, Stephanie Bremer (fiancé Corey Schmidt) and Jolie Olson; great-grandchildren: Kyrah Fisher, Autumn Fisher, Emily Bremer, Benson Bremer, Katherine Bremer and William Bremer; three step-grandchildren: Jon, Alan and Jason Rice; step-great-grandson, Jake Powers; along with many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.