Please click on the video tribute below to view Grandma Mike's celebration & inurnment services.

Michell "Grandma Mike" Olson of Fertile, MN died on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home with her family by her side.

She was born on January 7, 1943, in Geneva, Pennsylvania to Sam and Thelma Turner.  Along with her siblings, David and Donna, they made their home in Pittsburg, California.

She married Paul Christianson on June 29,1963 in Reno, Nevada.  They made their home in Fertile and were blessed with a son Michael.

After the loss of Paul, she married Jerome "Butch" Olson in 1975.  She shared with a granddaughter that one of her greatest joys was marrying Butch and gaining six more children. She always wanted a large family, and their door was always open to those that needed a place to stay.

She worked as a waitress at Town & Country Restaurant, worked for forty years at Fair Meadow Nursing Home and was a Foster Grandparent at the Fertile Beltrami School for thirteen years.

Mike was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1987. She was a Sunday School and Confirmation teacher along with a cub scout leader. Mike, along with her close friend Carolyn Baglien, were passionately active in the Minnesota Relay for Life for over twenty years. She was an advocate for the American Cancer Society; even speaking at the Minnesota Capital. She was proud to be a grandparent at the school and known by many in the school and the community as "Grandma Mike."  Her passion was working with the second graders in Mrs. Benson's class. On April 17, 2023, she was one of the special Grandma recipients for the Outstanding Service to Education Award given by the FB Education Foundation. She was also recognized in 2024 by Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, with being a recipient of the World of Difference Award.

Mike liked to garden and share her fresh vegetables or provide a tasty jar of salsa. She was known for making her mints for many graduations and weddings. She got excited about baking treats to be shared with her family which included monkey bread, chocolate chip cookies and heath bars to name a few.

Mike enjoyed a variety of activities in her life. Spoiling grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her much joy, along with hosting two foreign exchange students. She was also a loyal supporter of the Fertile-Beltrami Falcons. In her younger years, she enjoyed bowling, softball, and swimming. Later, she and Butch loved ice fishing at Lake of the Woods and cross-country trips on the motorcycle. She was always game for any challenge or experience. In the last several years, she adored the companionship of her dog "Sadie" and cat "Mittens" who brought her a lot of joy.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Jennifer) Christianson, Tim (Vickie) Olson, Todd (Sharon) Olson, Michelle Olson, Melissa (Tom) Oftedahl and Dean (Amber) Olson; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; as well as foreign exchange students, Miku and Alex.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Christianson; husband, Jerome "Butch" Olson; parents, Sam and Thelma Turner; second mom, Ella Turner; sister, Donna; brother, David Turner; son, Dave Olson; and grandson, Nicholas Olson.

In lieu of flowers, mom asked that gifts go to the American Cancer Society.

Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, November 7, 2025 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Inurnment: Concordia South Cemetery, Fertile, MN.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online for the family.