Ruth Joan "Carlson" Olsen

Ruth Joan Olsen, age 93, passed away on January 26, 2026.

Ruth was born to Edwin and Pearl Carlson in La Crosse, WI on August 24, 1932. Ruth was a fun and loving sister to her twin brother Ramert and younger sister Marge. She was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many with her kind heart and boundless energy. Her memory will be cherished by her friends and extensive family.

In 1955 Ruth married and soon had three daughters, Joan, Peggy, and Helen, who inherited her love of art, learning, and sweets. Ruth fell in love and married Neal K. Olsen in 1970. She became a stepmom to three more wonderful children, Ron, Joanne, and Richard. Six teenagers! Her Christian life and values were a beacon for us all to follow.

Ruth graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. She started her teaching career in Madison, WI as a first grade school teacher. Later she taught in the Robbinsdale school district in MN, before moving to Indiana in 1970 where she was a kindergarten teacher and a reading specialist in the Mishawaka school district. She earned her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. Ruth was also a university professor who taught early childhood education at Bethel University and Indiana University in South Bend IN. Ruth also volunteered as a docent at the Notre Dame Art museum in South Bend IN. Ruth retired from teaching at 62, and started a new career as an artist. She had a successful business painting and selling Scandinavian Christmas designs on hand blown glass ornaments. She studied oil painting with Mike Coyle from the Atelier School of Classical Realism until her death at 93.

In 2006 Ruth moved back to Minnesota to be close to family. She joined St. John's Lutheran Church and contributed in many ways including belonging to the OWLS (Older Wiser Lutherans), the Music and Arts committee, Worship Arts, the Funeral committee, and for several years recruiting coffee hour guest speakers.

She is survived by her loving children: Joan (Don Horvath) Reno of Elk River MN, Margaret (Jon) Nelson of Peoria AZ, Helen (Randall) Kunze of Carthage MO, stepson Lt. Col. Retired, Richard (Vicky) Olsen of Leavenworth KS, and step daughter-in-law Sandra Olsen of Jamison PA. Grandchildren: Elizabeth Gerber of Forest Lake MN, Tori (Corey) Hollis of Berthoud CO, Karen (Jason) Pfau of Frederick CO, Pam Young of Springfield VT, Mary Claire (Zach Riel) Neuberger of Meredith NH, Lexus (Martin) Pratt of Carthage MO, Anthony Kunze of Carthage MO. Step grandchildren: Michele (Rob) Mitchell of Royersford PA, Cindy (Nate) Yeagle of Lansdale PA, Ron (Morgan) Olsen of Pittsburgh PA, and Susan (Tim) Walsh of West Chester PA, Ryan (Brooke) Flowers of White Pigeon MI, April (Scott) Stuart of Meridian ID, Neal Eakins of Goodyear AZ, and Abby Olsen of Leavenworth KS. Great-grandchildren: Nora Hunziker, Annastasiya Gerber, Ali (Parker Vail) Hollis, Trey (Lexee Sutton) Hollis, Molly Carroll, Alexis (Kelly Bellefeuille) Beltran, Elizabeth Howard (Dominic Maynard), Gregory Howard, Damion Neuberger, Nova Pratt, Ayden Pratt. Step great grandchildren: Ashley Mitchell, Allie Mitchell, Austin Mitchell, Nolan Yeagle, Logan Yeagle, Luke Olsen, Cate Olsen, TJ Walsh, Bridget Walsh, and Preston Stuart. And last but not least, a beautiful Great-Great Grandchild: Averi Ann Celata

She was preceded in death by: husband Neal K. Olsen, twin brother Ramert Glenn Carlson, sister Margery Lurndahl, stepson Ronald Neal Olsen, and stepdaughter Joanne Sterling Eichhorn.

Visitation for Ruth Olsen will be held on Friday, February 6th at 10 am with the Memorial Service starting at 11 am at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mound MN with a luncheon to follow.