Marlene Olson, 69
Marlene Ethel Olson of Baudette passed away September 16, 2020 at home during her afternoon nap. Suffering from no major illness; her heart had finally had enough. She put on a lot of miles over the years, and now she is at PEACE.
Marlene was born in Mora, MN on May 12, 1951 to Wallace and Della (Rust) Richards. Marlene lived her formative years in Central Minnesota in the communities of Big Falls, Mc Grath, Pillager, and Brainerd. Her fondest childhood memories were of the time she spent in Big Falls where her grandfather was the DNR District Forester; and the time she spent on the Oakley Robinson farm near Mc Grath. She came to Baudette in 8th grade when her father became the District Forester for the DNR. It is then that she met her soul mate Maury Walter Olson and they evolved into a couple that did life together their way for nearly fifty-five (55) years.
Marlene graduated from Baudette High School in 1969 and then attended Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, MN for one year and graduated with a certificate in Secretarial Skills. She then got a job in Duluth and worked there for about a year when Maury came along and scooped her up and they went off to Milwaukee and eloped in 1971.
Marlene devoted her life to Maury and his worldly pursuits, and in return Maury supported her in her efforts to pursue a career in Cosmetology; starting with a degree from the Melbourne Beauty Academy in 1974. Over the years she owned and operated Beauty Shops in Baudette, and Williams, and in her home; and also set up shop in Orlando and Melbourne Florida, and in Saudi Arabia. She also ‘did hair’ in Baudette at Barry’s Little Hair House, the nursing home, and the morgue. This was in addition to a life-long dedication to serving in the Nursing Homes in Baudette as a housekeeper and a Dietary Aide, on and off for nearly 35 years. A self-motivated interest in Dietary led her to become a Certified Dietary Manager. Due to an organizational change at Lakewood Care Center she left her dietary pursuits and worked at the Customer Service Counter at Lake of the Woods Foods in Baudette for about three (3) years until a degenerative disk and back pain forced her into disability and early retirement. She then settled in at home and devoted her life to taking care of her cats and dogs, and Maury in that order.
Marlene also latched on to the fitness craze and taught classes in Jane Fonda Aerobics wherever she went. Her fitness efforts culminated in earning a Black Belt in TAE KWON DO from Korean Masters that were teaching in Saudi Arabia, and upon returning home they taught a class in TAE KWON DOE for Lake of the Woods Community Education. Maury and Marlene loved the outdoors and did a lot of fishing, canoeing, camping, gardening, and scuba diving. Over the years they planted all of the evergreens (DNR seedlings) in Timber Mill Park, and developed the property from the barren farmland that they purchased from Walter C. Olson, his dad. Her parlor pursuits were murder mystery books and TV shows; plus FARKLE and TWINS baseball. In addition she loved to cook, and sew her own clothes.
Marlene is survived by her husband Maury, her older sister Joan (Oakley Robinson, Jr.) of Mc Grath, MN., and her younger brother Dan (Marcia Baade) of Elk River, MN. No children, will travel, was Maury’s motto as he and Marlene became members of seven (7) different U.S. corporations over the years. Caught up in a whirlwind of professional pursuit they had no children by choice. With no regrets their passing will end their line in time.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Wallace and Della Richards, an infant sister Kathy, and older brother Edward. Wishing that no one would mourn her passing, Marlene will be laid to rest at the Evergreen Cemetery in Big falls, MN by the immediate surviving members of her family.
Last modified: 09/22/2020
