Sheila Olson

Sheila M. Olson, 65, formerly of Larimore, North Dakota, passed away on Friday, December 9, 2011 in 4000 Valley Square - Woodside Village, Grand Forks. Sheila was born February 22, 1946 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to R. Walter Olson and Gladys M. (Kilen) Olson of Rural Larimore, North Dakota. Sheila was a multitalented artist and musician. The middle child in a farm family of five, she enjoyed the company of her siblings for all of her life. She was a pianist, played the harpsichord, accordion, clarinet, and had a beautiful singing voice. She was blessed with an ability to hear a song and then play it on the piano, entertaining all who heard her. Sheila attended a Rural Larimore country school for 2 years and then attended Larimore Public schools, graduating as Valedictorian of the Larimore High School class of 1964. Sheila received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Dakota and was trained as a Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA). She taught elementary school at Frazee, Minnesota for several years, entertaining her students with music and drawing wall murals. In 1972 a car accident interrupted her teaching career and she became her mother's companion following the deaths of her Dad and sister Connie. She had mental health challenges following the head injury suffered in the car accident. She resided at St. Anne's Guest Home and in 4000 Valley Square for the last 14 years of her life. Her bipolar issues created communication problems with those who loved her and those who tried to make her life more meaningful. Sheila was a bright, talented person whose productive life was controlled by health issues beyond her control. She will be reunited with her parents, Walter and Gladys Olson, her sisters, Connie Olson and Cynthia Kinney and many relatives as she enters the Kingdom of Heaven. Left behind to mourn her passing are brothers Richard (Jan) Olson and Daniel Olson; nephews, Darren Olson, Nathan (Liz) Olson, Zachary Kinney; nieces, Anna Marie (Toby Simmers) Kinney and Kelsey Strub; grand nephews and nieces, Kellen Olson, Cain, Shy and Maya Olson; brother-in-law, Ross Kinney; and many cousins. A service celebrating Sheila's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2011 in Calvary Lutheran Church, 1405 S. 9th St., Grand Forks, with visitation one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment will be at Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore, North Dakota.