Ardelle Olsen

Ardelle Ellen Olsen completed her mission of providing kindness and care for all to embrace. After 93 years, she embarked upon her next journey of everlasting life on the 30th day of August of 2024.

She was born to Joseph and Ellen Anderson on May 30th, 1931 in East Bethel, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Chapel. She attended a one room grade school and graduated from St. Francis High School. Even at a young age, Ardelle showed her adventurous spirit. After high school Ardelle traveled to Washington DC to work as a clerk-stenographer for the US Navy. When the youngest of her children was in high school, Ardelle returned to the working world retiring after twenty-three years at MN Health Department and Cambridge Regional Center.

After the Korean war, she married Clifford Olsen on November 11, 1953. They lived in Minneapolis for one year after which they moved to Coon Lake in 1955. They were blessed with three children, Sharon, Philip and Russell. In 1968 they moved to Moorhead for a work opportunity for Cliff for six years. In 1974 the family returned to the East Bethel area.

Ardelle was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church where she volunteered and chaired numerous for several committees. She was church secretary under Pastor Pillman and enjoyed Priscilla Circle and Altar Guild for 40 years. Ardelle belonged to several local organizations, including the Cedar-East Bethel Lions/Lioness, Red Hats … East Bethel Seniors, …

Ardelle was passionate about her family and passing on her treasured Swedish traditions. These included having Lutefisk at Christmas, making Lefsa with her family, canning pickles with her mother’s recipe, and making “Punka” (Potato Klüb) with her grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing blankets for each one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. If given the chance, she could talk to anybody for hours giving them an update of the most recent happenings of her beloved family members. Ardelle loved dancing, traveling, organizing events, entertaining family and friends, sunset cruises on Big Sugarbush and time around the campfire.

Ardelle was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ellen Anderson, infant twin brothers, loving husband Clifford, brothers Virgil (Mary), Wayne (Lorraine), Nephew Joseph and Niece Jerilyn. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon; sons, Philip (Victoria) and Russell (Therese) Olsen; grandchildren Alan, Danielle, Eric, Elliott, Grant, Reed and Aiden; step-grandchildren, Chad, Andrew and Tyler, and fifteen great grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews Dona, Dale, Gloria, Bruce, Kathy and Charles. Special friend Ron Swanson, lifelong friends Marlys Burman and Gwen Hewitt and many cherished friends and relatives.

“Ardelle will be forever remembered for her unselfish love, honesty and kindness. She will be missed dearly by all”.

Celebration of Life services will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 19001 Jackson St., NE, East Bethel, MN 55011 on Friday, September 20th, at 11:00 am, with a gathering beginning the preceding hour. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred for Our Saviour’s Chapel fund.