Marilyn B. Olson

Marilyn B. Olson, 71, of rural Lake Park, Minnesota, died Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at her home after a three month battle with liver cancer. She had fought breast cancer eight years ago and was a cancer survivor until this past October. Marilyn was born on June 27, 1939, the daughter of Walter and Lynn Turnell in Vancouver, British Columbia. She moved to California with her family as a young child. Marilyn graduated from Covina High School and graduated from Chico State University, CA where she received her elementary teaching degree and taught Kindergarten at Lompoc, CA for 5 years. Marilyn and Duane met at Lompoc, CA and were united in marriage on March 18, 1967. After they were married it was very important to both her and Duane for her to be a full time Mom to ToniLynn, Todd, and Jeffrey so she retired from teaching and took on that role. Duanechr(39)s military career in the United States Air Force took them to various places, such as California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, several summers in Florida, Mississippi, Woomera in Australia, and Nebraska. After Duanechr(39)s retirement from the military, they moved to their farm home on Nelson Lake in rural Lake Park. Marilyn was a member of Strandvik Lutheran Church. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, traveling, square dancing and especially spending time with her family. She was an avid reader, especially of mystery novels. She shared her passion for reading with her children at an early age. She made over 150 quilts and many of those were made for presentation to family members for special occasions such as high school graduation. She loved the challenge and joy of selecting the fabric and piecing the quilt tops. She loved her herb and flower gardens and enjoyed collecting unusual plants. She and her daughter had a tradition of going to a special herb nursery in Nebraska every Motherchr(39)s Day. Marilyn and Duane were very active in square dancing at their local club (Country Twirlers) as well as being involved at the regional and state levels. They attended many of the National Square Dance Conventionchr(39)s which took them all around the country. Marilyn was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her family and cherished the fun times they shared together. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Duane Olson of rural Lake Park, MN; daughter, Toni Lynn (David) Merchen of Crofton, NE; son, Jeffrey (Rhonda) Terracciano of Shreveport, LA; seven grandchildren "? Amber (Craig) Jansen, Aron Merchen, Annette (fiancee Rustin Short) Merchen, Nathan Merchen and Justin Terracciano, William Terracciano, Sarah Terracciano; one great grandson "? Breckin Jansen; sister, Valerie (Wayne) Valdez of Azusa, CA; sister-in-law, Diane (Gary) Stensland of Urbana, IL; Marilyn was preceded in death by her father, Walter Turnell, her mother and step father, Lynn and Richard Erbes, son, Todd Terracciano and one sister, Sharron Turnell Marsden.