Dorothy B Olson

Dorothy B. Olson, age 49, of West Lake Jefferson, Cleveland, began her journey of passing over from this incredible lifetime into the magnificent and eternally bright light of the everlasting love of our heavenly Father, the Lord Almighty, on Monday, April 7, 2008 at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital surrounded with family presence and love after a lengthy battle with Thymoma, a rare and terminal cancer, and began her final journey "home".

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2008 at First Presbyterian Church in Mankato, Rev. Dawn Carder officiating, with eternal rest and interment at Lakewood Cemetery in Albert Lea. Visitation will occur from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Mankato Mortuary and also one hour before the service on Saturday at the church.

Dorothy was born on May 21, 1958 to Helen B. (Schroeder) and Allen K. Rector in Austin. She was baptized at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. At age 3, she moved with her mother and father, Helen B. and Roger G. Randall to Albert Lea, where she was raised throughout her youth. She attended Albert Lea Public School and graduated in 1977 from Albert Lea High School. She was raised and confirmed in the Presbyterian faith in Albert Lea before transferring membership to the First Presbyterian Church in Mankato in her adulthood.

Dorothy met her special love, life partner, and husband, Steven A. Olson in May of 1979. They moved to the Mankato area in 1981. They vowed their love on July 13, 1985 at First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, Dorothy was co-owner of the Town Pump Bar and Lounge in Madison Lake. They sold the business shortly thereafter. She also assisted her husband, Steve with their company, Olson Roofing in Cleveland. Her passions in life were traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, bible study, and time at her home on Lake Jefferson where she enjoyed lake activities. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Mankato, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Dorothy is survived by her loving husband, Steve Olson; seven children, Victoria Burt of Mankato, Jennifer (Chris) O'Brien of Hohenwold, TN, Stacey (Keith) Michels of Mankato, Alyssa Olson of Cleveland, Adam Olson of Faribault, Angela Thostenson of Albert Lea, Jessica Abbott of Rosemount; 13 grandchildren, Travis, Zachary, Megan, Peyton, Kaitlin, Briahna, Stephani, Wesley, Derek, Maddie, Ty, Brady, and Ashton; father, Roger G. Randall of Albert Lea; birth father, Allen (Juanita) Rector of Prescott, AZ; nine siblings, Carol (Jay) Jolly, Gail (Steve) Jorgenson, Barbara (Wayne) Thorpe, Penny (Randy) Schultz all of Albert Lea, Michelle Leonard, James (Dawn) Leonard, Michael Leonard, Roger (Carla) Leonard all of St. Paul, Timothy Leonard of Minneapolis; in-laws, Bonnie Olson of Burnsville, LeAnn Stewart of Albert Lea, Daniel (Diane) Olson of Elk River, Richard (Judy) Olson of Rochester, Roger (Amy) Olson of Lake Mills, IA, Gary (Laurie) Olson of Albert Lea; also many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother, Helen; her in-laws, Donald & Leona Olson; grandparents, Henry & Luella Schroeder, Ralph & Lula Rector, Myron & Louise Randall; niece, Carey Lennie; and a beloved pet dog, Chalsea.