Olga was born July 27, 1925 in International Falls, Minnesota to Norwegian immigrants Alfred and Oliva (Solheim) Oliver. In 1943 she graduated from Falls High School in International Falls and from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. In 1948 she married Marlyn Dahlen at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They moved to Mabel which Olga embraced as her “Home”. In 1967 she began working as the Librarian for the Mabel-Canton High School. When she was in her 40s, Olga furthered her education by earning her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Mankato State College. After her retirement as the high school librarian in 1992, she spent nine fall semesters in Vienna, Austria, as the Program Director for students from the Robert Morris University (IL), who were studying at the Institute for European Studies.
She was a member and church librarian of the Mabel First Lutheran Church, a 50-year member of the Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary where she was a past state president, and active in the Mabel Library Club. She held many leadership positions in community, church and school organizations over the years, and enjoyed her regular delivery route for Meals on Wheels through 2009.
Olga had a lifelong passion for reading and learning, for all things Norwegian, and for beautiful music. She had traveled to 59 countries and upon her return would give speeches to many area organizations. Olga was an avid sports fan and enjoyed all sports.
Olga passed away Monday, September 27, 2010 at her home after a brief illness at the age of 85.
Olga is survived by seven children Derick (Julie) of Minneapolis, Deborah (Allan) Zelechowski of Chicago, Illinois, Jennifer (Mark) Hicks of New Canaan, Connecticut, Gretchen (Greg Thelen) Dahlen of Hayward, Wisconsin, Peter (Mary Carlsen) of Northfield, Andrew (Renee) of Fargo, North Dakota, and Martha (Robert) McKelvey of Scandia, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren; two great granddaughters; a sister Hildur (Rodger) Chapman of Davis, California; and a brother Alvin “Bob” Oliver of International Falls. She was preceded in death by her husband Marlyn in 1988, her parents, and a sister Jennie Hokenson and her husband Orlando “Bud”.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Rev. Gail Klavetter and Rev. Phil Ruud co-officiating. Visitation will be from 5 pm - 8 pm Thursday, September 30 at the Mengis Funeral Home, Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Mabel Public Library, the Mabel-Canton School Library, or a charity of your choice. |
