Watch Marsha's service

Marsha Kay (Gibson) Olson was born to Clarice (Knutson) and Howard Gibson on May 17, 1946. She died peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Mayville, ND.

Marsha graduated from Ulen High School in Ulen, MN, with the Class of 1964. On March 20, 1966, she was united in marriage to Richard Olson. Together they made their home in rural Hitterdal, MN, where they raised their three children. During those early years, Marsha devoted herself to caring for her family and home while Rich worked in road construction.

Marsha was known for her wonderful cooking and baking. Over the years, she made hundreds of loaves of homemade bread and buns, along with thousands of doughnuts that family and friends eagerly enjoyed. After her children were nearly grown, she took over management of the Hitterdal Café, where she worked for several years. In 2008, Marsha and Rich moved to Ulen, MN. She later worked part-time for the Ulen-Hitterdal School District, driving special education students to Hawley.

Above all else, Marsha treasured her family. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, and she took great pride in each of their accomplishments. She loved every opportunity to spend time with them and celebrate the people they were becoming.

In her later years, Marsha lived in Portland, ND, while facing several health challenges. She found comfort in simple pleasures, including chatting on the phone with family and friends, watching services from Salem Lutheran Church in Hitterdal and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen, and spending time on Facebook.

Marsha is survived by her children & grandchildren: Susan, Greg, & Rikka Edwardson, Richard Jr. (Rick) Olson, and Rob, Joan, Ethan, & Elise Olson; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard; parents, Howard and Clarice Gibson; stepfather, Don Jahr; parents-in-law, Ray and Gertrude Olson; brother, Claire Gibson; daughter-in-law, Karen Olson; and three grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held at Salem East Cemetery, Hitterdal, MN.

God Bless the Memory of Marsha Kay Olson