Charlie's Mom

Lorraine Olson, 92
Lorraine Glennis Olson, 92, Alexandria, died January 28, 2011. Lorraine was born November 9, 1918 in St. John, North Dakota to Charles and Gina (Arneson) Krook. She was the eighth of 11 children.
 Lorraine was baptized at Mill Lake Lutheran Church in Menighed, North Dakota on November 16, 1919. Her family moved from North Dakota to the Litchfield and Glenwood area when she was 10. She grew up in Glenwood, attending school and working at Wimpy’s Café and Minton Hotel, where she met her future husband, Raymond “Ray” Olson. Lorraine and Ray were married March 30, 1940 in Glenwood. She was a full-time homemaker, caring for their five children. In 1964, the family moved to Alexandria to operate their family business, Olson Produce. 
Lorraine devoted her life to her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was a mom to many with her home and kitchen always open. She loved to cook and sew, with people marveling at her sewing talent. She loved celebrating Halloween, Christmas and Easter. 
In the spring you would see Lorraine busy planting vegetables and preparing for her spring and summer flower gardens. She loved shopping and buying for others. She was a Minnesota Twins and golf fan. She loved her game shows. Lorraine could hold her own when others disagreed with her Democratic Party beliefs. 
She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Alexandria and the VFW Auxiliary. She is survived by her children, Sandy (Dennis) Erickson of Brainerd, Charles (Mary) Olson, Glenice (Robert) Vipond, David Olson, all of Alexandria; daughters-in-law, ShuWa Olson and LuWanna (James) Olson; grandchildren, Randy McDonald, Chad Johnson, Cory (Angie) Olson, Stephanie Olson (Neel Bose), Christina (Tam Gregersen) Olson, Jason (Ashley) Anderson, Ryan (Michelle) Vipond, Robert (Shawn) Olson, Shannon (Jackson Berglund) Olson, Jamie (Victoria “Tori” Meyer) Olson, Shawn (Kori Walker) Olson; great-grandchildren, Ashley McDonald, Alexis McDonald, Nathan Johnson, Emma Anderson, Charles Olson, Thomas Olson, Levi Gregersen, Nicholas Vipond, Rebecca Vipond, Gavin Olson, Corbin Olson, Luca Olson, Casey Deleski, Carson Berglund and Aaliyah Olson. 
Preceding her in death were her husband, Ray; son, James “Jim” Olson, grandson, Mark McDonald; parents, Charles and Gina Krook; brothers, Earl, Carl, Olaf, John and Lynn Krook; sisters, Anna May Woodward, Louise Gardner, Millie Arp, Francis Johnson and Norma Maanum. Funeral services were held Friday, February 4 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. John Peshek officiating. Burial was at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net. A00009B2011FB04