Margaret Olson

Margaret Katherine (Yackley) Olson, who was also known as Maggie or Muggs when she was younger, was born on March 26, 1939, in Canby, Minnesota. She passed away on May 5, 2024, at the age of 85 in Brookings, South Dakota after a 6 year battle with Progressive Dementia.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation and to pay their respects at The Gathering Place (200 N. Main St.) in Hendricks, MN on May 12, from 5-7 pm. The funeral service, a celebration of a life richly lived, will also convene at The Gathering Place on May 13, at 11 am.

Margaret grew up near Porter, MN. As a young girl she had rheumatic fever and lived for a period of time with her Grandmother Maggie Yackley whom she loved very much. She also spent a great deal of time with her other loving Grandmother Etta Irwin. She married Omey Olson on June 25th, 1955 in Canby MN. They farmed near Hendricks, MN until 2018. 

Margaret's life was a testament to her hardworking and kind nurturing spirit. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, In-Law, Neighbor and Friend to many. She was known for her numerous talents and skills, from making homemade bread, rolls, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies, making 3 meals a day for her family, taking lunches out to the guys in the field, sewing clothes for her children, made wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses, as well as the Majorette Uniforms for the Marching Band. She quilted and making a photo quilt for each Grandchild when they graduated high school, and a baby quilt for every new great grandchild until 6 years ago when she could no long recall how to do it related to an onset of Dementia. Margaret could do almost anything on the farm, from milking cows, to bailing, cultivating, picking rocks, to canning and gardening. She was excellent at Wallpapering and Painting. She liked mowing her yard and helping Omey and her son John in any way she could on the farm (Except for chasing cows). Her kindness and generosity included providing a home for aged family members who no longer had a home. 

She worked in the Laundry, Housekeeping and very much enjoyed being a Nursing Assistant at the Hendricks Hospital and Nursing Home. She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary until she could no longer participate because of her Health. 

Margaret had a deep faith and prayed with her children every night. Her faith was further nurtured when she attended the Methodist Church in Hendricks MN and then became a member of Singsass Lutheran Church. 

Margaret will be deeply missed by her loving children and their families: .

 Daughter Cheryl and Son-in-Law Michael Boldt, Sioux Falls SD 
   • Alexis Ricci and Mya Ricci 
   • Shane Boldt 

Daughter Lesa and Son-in-Law Tom Franken, Watertown SD 
   • Heidi and Tom Pettit, Henry, Maggie, and James 
   • AJ and Liz Franken, Vera and Etta 
   • Roshal and Nick Rossman, Asher and Conrad

Son John and Daughter-in-Law Denise Olson, Hendricks MN 
   • Jamie and JJ Arens, Josie and Alex 
   • Greg and Brittany Olson, Willow and June 

Daughter Betty and Son- in -Law Michael Walter
   • Brianna and Tyler Veurink, Emma and Marlee 
   • Shelby and Jesse Bobbit 

Daughter Cris and Son-in-Law Jeff Engen 
   • Scott Engen and fiance Hannah Moerke
   • Jacob and Jenna Engen 
   • Davis Engen and special friend Aletha Baker 

Brother Scott Yackley and Brother Larry Yackley and his wife Lou and their family 
Sister Vernetta Quanrud and her husband Al 
Sister-In-Law Gaylene Olson 
Many, beloved Nieces and Nephews who now have children and grandchildren of their own. 

She is preceded in death and rejoins those she loved in Heaven with her Lord Jesus Christ her Savior. 
   • Her husband Omey Olson 
   • Her Parents Lucille and Vincent Yackley 
   • Brother Bill Yackley 
   • Sister Rose Bearson and Brother-in-Law Larry Bearson 
   • Sister Louise Ochocki and Brother-in-Law Mike Ochocki and Nephew Danny Ochocki 
   • Brother-in-Law David Olson and Niece Tammy Joy Olson 
   • Sister-in-Law Bevelyn Olson and Brother-in-Law Alton Olson. 

Donations may be made in Margaret's memory to the American Legion Auxiliary, in care of Marcy Sommervold, Treasurer. 
Arrangements for Margaret's farewell were lovingly handled by Walters Funeral Home in Freeman. Her spirit, her love, and her lessons will remain with those who loved her and knew her.