Helen S. Olson

THOMPSON – Helen S. Olson, 105, of Thompson, died Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 3 P.M., Saturday, February 4th at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson with Rev. Dr. Judy Wozniak officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Cataldo Schott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Helen Sylverna Olson, the daughter of Joseph Edward and Julia Marie (Handahl) Helland, was born August 24, 1911 at Roland, Iowa. She attended country school and graduated from McCallsburg High School. On November 29, 1933, she was married to Theodore “Ted” Olai Olson at Bergen Lutheran Church in Roland. They lived in the Thompson area a short time before moving back to Roland to help her mother with the farm during her father's illness. They returned to rural Thompson where they farmed and made their home with Ted's family. In the early 1940's, they moved into Thompson. Besides being a homemaker for most of her life, Helen also worked at the Java Center Café in Thompson, Horswell Potato Farm and Miller Locker. She was an avid genealogist. She also enjoyed crocheting and other handwork, playing cards, baking Norwegian foods, and quilting. Over the years, she made and tied quilts for all her family members. Helen and Ted liked to travel in their camper, and later she traveled with her daughter Sandra.

She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and was active in its Ladies' Aid and women's Circles. In earlier years, she was a 4-H leader and assisted the school as a chaperone for band trips.

Helen is survived by her children, Janice Mathenia of Paris, TN, Sandra Peterson of Thompson, Harlan (Jo) Olson of Buchanan, TN and Evonne (Douglas) Kouba of Leon, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren; thirty-nine great grandchildren; thirteen great-great grandchildren; a brother, James (Grace) Helland of Story City; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted; son, Rodney Olson; a sister, Evelyn Blair; a grandson, Keven Peterson; and a great grandson, Carl Gergen.