Lavina Olson

Olson, Lavina Marie, age 90 of Coon Rapids, longtime resident of New Brighton, passed into the loving arms of her savior, Jesus Christ, on November 21, 2019. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Alvin “Al.” Survived by sons, Wayne (Sally) and Gordon (Judy); grandchildren, Lindsey (Wesley) Herold, Matthew (Sheila), John “Jack” and Calvin “Cal;” great grandchildren, Lacey and Isla; sisters, Gladys Lindgren and Darlene (Buzz) Meyers; brother, Arthur (Colleen) Jentsch; and many nieces and nephews.

Lavina worked hard in her lifetime. She could have the countenance of a farm girl, potato digger, a factory assembler or a Fanny Farmer chocolate worker- all jobs she held at one time or another. Lavina could be the momma grizzly bear protecting her child-cub from an attacking neighbor’s dog. She was also known to make a mean chicken dumpling soup.

Lavina loved children and worked for over forty years out of her home as a licensed child care provider, often establishing bonds that remained for years. She was also an active member of Sunrise United Methodist Church for over 60 years, especially proud of the prayer shawls she would knit.

Lavina and Al had a long and happy marriage. They loved to travel and were able to visit all fifty states as well as the ancestral homelands of Germany and Norway. Family was most important to Lavina and she raised her sons and grandchildren to be caring persons.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1st from 5PM until 8PM at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 2nd, at Sunrise United Methodist Church, 7687 Long Lake Road, Mounds View. Visitation one hour prior to the service at 11AM. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Deer Park, Wisconsin. A special thank you to the staff at Park River Estates Care Center and Allina Hospice for their wonderful care. Memorials preferred to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the American Cancer Society.