A Celebration of Life Gathering for Beatrice V. Olson will be held on Monday, March 25th from 5-7 pm at the Roseau Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choosing.
Beatrice was born on September 16, 1918, the fourth of 12 children born to Louis and Cora Zakariasen. They lived in several places during her childhood, settling in Excelsior MN where she graduated from high school. She received a teaching degree from St. Cloud State College. She taught 4th grade in Kimball, Maple Lake and Alexandria, MN where she met her husband. Albert Olson and Beatrice Zakariasen were married on July 31st , 1948 and she began her second career as a homemaker. They lived in International Falls, Brainerd, and since 1968 in Staples, MN. She taught Sunday School in every location, which she truly enjoyed doing for over 40 years. She moved to the Roseau Manor in October 2021 to be close to family, which was the biggest blessing for all of us.
She loved to cook and bake, known for her many varieties of specialty breads, especially cinnamon. She made lefse, potato dumplings – or ‘klub’ as it was known to us – and lutefisk which she ate for 100 straight years at Christmas. When the staff would ask if they could get her anything, most often the response would be – yes, lutefisk and lefse. Her true passion and creative joy was as a seamstress. She purchased, combined, and created her own patterns. She made clothing, curtains, draperies, bedspreads, many of her own design. Every room in her home and the homes of her two daughters were a reflection of that creativity, and she did it all on the only sewing machine she ever owned, a 1949 Singer. She enjoyed reading and was very well informed. She read her Bible – at least three chapters everyday – and a newspaper, until 104 ½ when the print became too difficult, but she was able to enjoy watching TV.
She is preceded in death by her husband Albert in 2008 after 60 years of marriage, her daughter Debra Olson in 2021 from ALS, all of her siblings and their spouses except her brother Louis, her brother Jim and his wife Ruth, and her sister-in-law Senada.
She is survived by her daughter Cindi and her husband Larry Mertens of Roseau. Her grandson Jacob, his wife Kelly and their children, daughter Memphis and sons Mack and Boyer. Her grandson Dustin and his wife Erica and their sons Trey and Ty, all of Roseau. Also numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom thought of her as a second mother, and dear friends of all ages.
We have deep gratitude for the staff at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples MN and those at the Roseau Manor who’s care giving demonstrates the word love every day, and who became like family.
She was an example, an inspiration, and a blessing to all her knew her. Although not many people have a loved one in their life, with a sound mind, for 105 years, 6 months, and 3 days, it is never time to say goodbye, she will be deeply missed.
Last modified: 03/27/2024
