Betty Jane Olson Thompson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Age 84 of Richfield, born on June 11, 1937, went to be with her Savior, and to join her beloved husband, Don, on August 5, 2021. Preceded in death by her husband, Don, and her parents, Erling and Adeline Olson. Survived by children, Laura (David) Pederson, Jamie (Sherri) Thompson, and Chris (Tara) Thompson; grandchildren, Nate Thompson (Michael Chambers), Bre Taft (Aaron, Daxton, Lennon), Jeni Zimmerman (Chris), Dominick Thompson (Mykaela), Annie Pederson, Wyatt Thompson (Emma Salzwedel), Maggie Thompson; and many other cherished family members and friends. Betty was drawn to the light of those who blessed her life! Betty's friends and family members enriched her life and made her beam and glow in countless ways; those she has known since her childhood, and equally so, those she met recently or only one time. Betty through the years continued to mail a Christmas Letter like few still do. Many watched their mailboxes each year for Betty to share the latest about her family, and to proclaim once again that Jesus was the reason for the season, and that Emmanuel was forever with us. Those letters and phone calls through years were shared with cherished friends and family, from Bloomington to Seattle, from Minnetonka to Albany, from Richfield to Grantsburg and Siren. Betty was active in church life, all her life: Mount Olive, Transfiguration, Holy Spirit, All Saints, Bethany, Christ Lutheran, and Lord of Life. Betty was part of the Class of 1955 at Minneapolis Central and served on the Reunion Committee through last year. After several years living at Village Shores in Richfield, Betty truly was blessed to move and to live at The Gramercy in Richfield these past several years. Betty's and Don's lifelong friends, Jeanne and Jack Exline also lived at The Gramercy; blessing Betty even more. Jeanne sadly passed away earlier this year; Betty and Jeanne are inseparable once again. Betty and Don loved each other deeply; it showed every day in new and precious ways! They truly enjoyed their time in northwestern Wisconsin; their years on Yellow Lake, and their years on Little Wood Lake. What they enjoyed most through the years was hosting family and friends; when the bedrooms were full, the table needed extra chairs, and the stay was as long as possible. Don enjoyed making sure all looked good and all worked well. Betty gave her all to the special touches and planning menus. Their faces and their hearts were blessed whenever guests arrived. Betty through these most recent years sadly endured many chronic health issues. She would often say that her mind and brain were as sharp as ever; it was her body that was struggling. She remained truly engaged, staying connected with loved ones, watching the news, praying for others, and tracking the stock market. Betty attended the wedding of her grandson, Dominick and Mykaela, on Saturday, June 26. She was so happy to be there, to be a part of another blessed day, to visit with and to meet so many people, to have so much love and support showered upon her, and to soak it all in. Betty's legacy and family tree are forever blessed! Betty's health turned more rapidly than expected when an acute aggressive pneumonia came her way. She was hospitalized on June 30 for several days, had some time in TCU, hoping to come home, when the pneumonia returned. Some added care and tests revealed cancer in her right lung, enlarged lymph nodes, and lesions on her liver consistent with metastasized cancer. There was no opportunity to treat or overcome the pneumonia. Betty could be seen from here, smiling, dancing, and hugging Don, as Jesus carried her to heaven on Thursday, August 5, 2021. Over recent months, Betty had a new way of saying good-bye on the phone. She would often end her call with the words: "I love you. Bye, bye, for now." We love you, Mom. Though we will continue to talk to you and Dad, "Bye, bye, just for now." One of Betty's wishes if acceptable, was to donate her body to the University of Minnesota Medical Bequest program. This was granted and acceptable, and so, after any needs her body provides for research at the U of M, her ashes will be provided to the family, and her ashes will join Don's at a later date in the columbarium at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation, Monday, August 9, 5-7 p.m., at Washburn-McReavy, Edina Chapel. Celebration of Life Memorial Service, Tuesday, August 10, at 12 noon, with Visitation beginning at 11 a.m., also at Washburn-McReavy, Edina Chapel, 5000 West 50th Street, Edina. Memorials preferred to Park Nicollet Foundation (Hospice Program); Christ Lutheran Church, Marine On St. Croix; All Saints Lutheran Church Foundation, Minnetonka; Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Lakeville. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100 Please see Tribute Wall to view the livestream.

Tributes

Betty Jane Olson Thompson

June 11, 1937 - August 5, 2021

Tributes

Betty Jane Olson Thompson

June 11, 1937 - August 5, 2021

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