Mary Margaret Olson, November 21, 1926 to April 13, 2023

Mary Margaret was born November 21, 1926, in Wheaton, Minnesota, to Joseph (Joe) and Florence (Flaherty). She was baptized at the Ave Maria Catholic Church. Mary graduated from Wheaton Public Schools with the class of 1945. She then went on to Franklin School of Practical Nursing. With roommate, Audrey (Seck) Tongen, Mary started a nursing career in Montevideo, Minnesota (1946). She met John Olson on the dance floor of Gladys Ballroom. They married on June 25, 1949, and lived in Montevideo, where they had their first and only son, David, born July 18, 1950. They bought their farm on County Road 92, Maple Plain, in September of 1950. She lived here until April of 2022. John and Mary danced their way through life every weekend. This turned into volunteering for many different organizations together, but they always kept room for dancing. She worked at a sales office, Business Forms and Systems, in Minneapolis as an office manager for 24 years and retired when only-grandchild, Casey, was born in February of 1990, stating, “Get a granddaughter one day and to hell with everything else!”

Mary was very proud of her Catholic faith and Irish heritage. She was always “Ready for a good laugh.” Her favorite activities included daily mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, being a sacristan, church dinners, teaching religion, playing bridge (“not a good player, but liked to play”), hosting Christmas Eve each year (where everyone was welcome), spending time with her granddaughter Casey, having Saturday coffee with her BFF Cay Griep, and delighting in her “perfect view” of the lake (Mud Lake).

Preceded in death by husband, John (Mud Lake), siblings, Betty (Holthaus) and John Flaherty. Survived by son, David, daughter-in-law, Merrilee, granddaughter Casey, brother-in-law Charlie Holthaus and his large family whom Mary loved.

She will be missed by her friends, family, and extended family.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, the St. Joseph’s campus in Delano, Minnesota. Inurnment was in the St. Joseph Cemetery.