Grace Olson

Olson, Grace Lundberg Was born in Minneapolis, July 2, 1907, the second eldest of five children. Her father, Carl Elfton Lundberg, came to America from Sweden at age 16. Her mother, Anna Albertina Anderson, was from a second generation Swedish family in Spring Garden, MN. A stand-out student, Grace attended Minnehaha Academy (Class of 1924), skipping a grade and graduating at age 16. Grace and her sister Violet (now 102 years old) were stars on the newly formed Minnehaha Girls Basketball Team. Grace dreamed of being a lawyer, but her father would not send a girl to college. However, he did pay for her to attend a business school. She excelled on her first job with the Hedberg Gravel Co. (where the St. Louis Park Byerly's now sits). When transportation problems caused her to look for another position, Grace's boss bought her a car in order to keep her. In 1929 she married Theodore Olson who was to become a University of Minnesota Professor. They were inseparable. Grace typed his Harvard PhD thesis and papers, entertained his colleagues and students, and traveled the world at his side during his sabbatical studies. Grace was president of the Faculty Wives Club, served 30 years as a Chief Election Judge, was an officer in the League of Women Voters, PTA President, Den Mother and a leader in countless other community activities. In retirement, she and Ted continued to travel extensively, visiting scores of countries and all five continents with lifelong friends from Minnehaha Academy. Preceded in death by husband of 73 years, Ted and son, Dr. R. Thomas Olson. Survived by sons, Theodore (Tod) Olson Jr., former Mayor of Long Lake, MN (wife Jackie) and Dr. Robert Olson (wife Karen) of St. Louis Park, MN; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Memorials preferred to the American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55407-1090. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. Funeral service 2:00 PM Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, with visitation 1/2 hour prior to service at: Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100

Tributes

Grace Olson

December 23, 2007

Tributes

Grace Olson

December 23, 2007

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