Donna Ann Olson

Olson, Donna Ann (Ricks) “Toots”

We say goodbye to the matriarch of our family whose life came full circle when she passed away on December 10^th just hours after her 90^th birthday. Survived by her children: David(Marge), Mark, Annette(Victor) Sandler, John(Julie); Grandchildren: Matthew(Michelle) Olson, Rebecca(Thomas) Shiah, Amy(Michael) Saltsman, Katelyn Olson and Samantha Olson; Great Grandchildren Howie and Helen Saltsman and Thomas Shiah, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded in death by her husband Adolph “Ole” of 58 years, her parents Isaac and Anna Ricks, Sister, Beverly(Bill) McCarthy, Brother Eugene(Valarie) Ricks and son-in-law Howard Malinsky.

She attended a one room schoolhouse until 8^th grade. She rode a horse and buggy or sleigh to school.   She then moved on to graduate from Elbow Lake High School and lettered in academics. She was a woman before her time. Strong, smart, organized, hardworking and independent. She was proud to have a few different careers, working as the assistant to the Superintendent at Glenwood High School and as an accountant at Target headquarters. She was the first woman to ever retire from the accounting department.

She loved reading, baking cookies, camping, and most of all she loved to dance. Her specialties were the waltz and the polka.  She was even in a TV commercial doing the chicken dance. She and Ole traveled the Midwest to attend polka festivals. She was an avid seamstress, whatever she made was better than anything you could purchase in a store. In her later years she volunteered at the Community Center JAMS program, sewing pajamas for under privileged kids, lap blankets for kids with Autism and stuffed toys for the church Santa toy drive.

The last lesson she wants to leave people is “Practice Forgiveness.”

We would like to thank the Staff of Health Partners Hospice. We especially want to thank the wonderful staff of Grace A Team homecare - Rosemary, Jane and Beth. Donna called them her “Angels of Mercy”.

Funeral Services will be held at St. William Catholic Church 6120 5^th St. NE, Fridley, MN 55432 (Entrance #1) on Saturday December 16^th at 11:00 am. Visitation one hour prior to the service.  Private interment at Fort Snelling Cemetery. In lieu of Flowers memorials are preferred to Health Partners Hospice 8170 33^rd Ave S Bloomington 55425 or JAMS Sewing c/o King of Glory Church 10103 University Ave NE Blaine, MN 55434

Arrangements by Miller Funeral Home