Avis Marion Olson, 87, of Ada, MN, passed away unexpectedly Friday, November 29th, 2013 at the Benedictine Care Community, Ada, MN.

Avis was born in May 11, 1926 to Thomas and Amelia (Orsland) Nygaard in Good Hope Township, Shelly, MN. Avis received her education through eighth grade at Good Hope Country School and high school was completed at Climax (MN)High School. She graduated in 1944. She married Orville Lee in August of 1944 and raised six wonderful children on a farm near Perley, MN. Avis was a hard worker, and helped around the farm while her family was young.
Avis's sister Doris passed away in April of 1971 and with a generous heart Avis took the children, Cindy, Randy and Debbie Dahm, in as her own.

On July 22, 1972 Avis married Loren Olson. Loren had three children, Greg, Brad and Dorothy. Together they finished raising eight children in rural Shelly, MN where they made their home. Avis and Loren owned Olson Tavern in Shelly for three years where they enjoyed the company of the local community. After they sold the tavern they worked on their own building pole sheds, and then went to work for Abentroth Construction. Avis was a very hardworking woman and loved teaching young workers how to get the job done. Once the kids were grown, Avis took spoiling their dogs very seriously. A cowgirl at heart, Avis loved horses and through her retirement had a birds eye view of the pasture from her kitchen window. Every day was a great day to read a good book and play a game of whist. When family and neighbors would stop by they always had to play a game of cards. The family would often meet at the farm for Avis's famous kumpa feed (potato dumplings) and everyone left happy with a full stomach.

Avis and Loren said goodbye to their home and farm in the fall of 2011 and moved to the assisted living facility Valley View Manor in Ada. They then moved to Benedictine Care Community nursing home in February of 2013, where they have enjoyed the company of many lifelong friends and familiar faces.

Avis is survived by her children Judy Hitner of Idaho Falls, ID, Carol (Fred) Tolli of Idaho Falls, ID, Loren (Harriet) Lee of Pelican Rapids, MN, Milt (Emily) Lee of Ada, MN, Jesse (Elizabeth) Lee of Ada, MN, Lenora (David) Bjorge of Buxton, ND; three step children Greg Olson of Osage, MN, Bradley (Terri) Olson of Idaho Falls, ID, Dorothy (George) Russell of Prineville, OR; nephew Randy (Chrys) Dahm of Oceanside, CA, niece Debbie Dahm of Myrtle Point, OR; 36 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren. All were referred to as "the darlings."

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister Thelma, sister, Doris Dahm, brother, Leroy Nygaard; niece, Cindy Arnold; son-in-law, Kirk Cranney, son-in-law, Joe Hitner; granddaughters Jalane Hitner and Melissa Hitner; great nephew Michael Andrews.

God bless her memory.

Visitation for Avis will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2013 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Fredrikson Funeral Home in Ada with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral will be held Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada.

Burial will follow at Concordia Cemetery, rural Hendrum.