Ruth Olson

Ruth Ellen Olson, 92, of Red Wing, died Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Red Wing Hospital. She was born March 15, 1932 in Kendall, Wisc. to Peter P. and Freda P. (Schmidlin) Peterson. She grew up in Modena, Wisc. where she and her cousin enjoyed operating the telephone switchboard and playing at her grandparent's mill.

During her senior year the family moved to Red Wing and she graduated from Red Wing Central High School. She was elected "Miss Feather Frolic" by her senior class and Ruth always enjoyed telling the story.

Following graduation, she attended Northwestern School of Nursing where she graduated at an RN. She married Charles A.B. Olson and after moving around the state they settled in Brooklyn Center where they had 5 children together.

In 1965, Ruth lost Charles and in 1972 she returned to Red Wing to raise her children. She also continued her career as a nurse. She committed much of her nursing career to senior care and she worked at a number of the care facilities in the area including, the Red Wing Health Care Center, Seminary Home, and Haven Homes. She wore many hats and held many different titles during her long nursing career. She worked as a staff nurse, a charge nurse, she was in charge of Policy and Procedures, she trained new nurses, was a Medicare specialist, an assistant director of nursing and the director of nursing. She officially retired in 2017 at the age of 85, completing more than 65 years as an RN.

She enjoyed needlework and was especially skilled in the craft of hardanger. She also mastered crocheting and knitting. Ruth was interested in Red Wing pottery and coin collecting. She was also took a special interest in the collections of others, keeping an eye out for treasures for the people she loved. She loved Christmas and considered it the most joyous time of year. She amassed a huge collection of Dept. 56 Snow Village pieces.

She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and was the Den Mother for her boy's Cub Scout Troop.

Ruth was known for her work ethic, dry wit and wisdom. She was intelligent, articulate, and took great pride in her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by 3 children; Peter K. (Lori) Olson, Steven P. Olson, and Susan (Scott) Northey, all of Red Wing; 9 grandchildren, Eric Olson, Aliza Albers, Olivia, Emelia and Isabel Olson, Elizabeth (Jason) Kindseth, Oliver (Destinee) Olson, Nicholas (Veronica) Northey, and Katherine (Jesse) Jonsgaard; 10 great-grandchildren, Andie, Lainey, Ozzy, Lucy, Millie, Walter, Beau, Margot, Kristina, and Oscar; and 2 godsons; David and Doug Peterson.

She preceded in death by her husband; sons, Mike and Mark "Ole" Olson; daughter-in-law, Mary Olson; her brother and sister-in-law, Allen (Helen) Peterson; and nephew, Greg Peterson.

Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Red Wing with pastor Quinlan Koch officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A family burial will be at Vasa Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com