Violet Lillian Olson, 89, of Ray, ND went home to her Lord in heaven on Sunday, August 19, 2018, at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston, ND surrounded by much love from her family.

Violet was born on the Hauge Homestead in Equality Township on November 6, 1928 to Carl and Nellie (Stacy) Hauge. She was raised in the Temple and Ray area and attended school in Ray, ND graduating in 1947. As a young woman Violet worked for Elmer Tank at the Red Owl Grocery Store and as a waitress at local cafes. Violet had her eye on a young local boy and sent him a note asking him to the prom. Willie happily accepted her invitation and this was the beginning of their years of floating on the dance floor together.

Violet married M. Willard Olson on March 29, 1950 in Ray, ND. They lived in rural Ray for their first few years until building their home on the family farm southeast of Ray. Violet and Willie were blessed with five children: Dick, Kay, Randy, Bobbi and Colleen. Violet joined in running their farm by taking her turn on the combine and in the grain truck, together with cooking and serving three course meals out of the back of the family car during harvest, and bringing coffee and a fresh baked treat for the afternoon break.

Family celebrations centered around coming home to the farm and Grandma’s cooking and spoiling. Caring for her family gave her the most joy in life, and you never left her home hungry or without a care package. Peach season always drew family home as Grandma’s peach pie was the best in the world. Violet’s strong faith was an important part of her life. Every evening after she tucked her children into bed she knelt down by their bedroom door and prayed for them. Her devotion to Christ and family was ever present in her life. Her and Willie faithfully attended Ray Lutheran Church during their married life.

Violet was also a very talented artist. She created beautiful oil paintings, sewed quilts and also poured the molds and created clothing for hand painted porcelain dolls for her great grand- daughters. She sewed many dresses for her girls and their dolls, and created beautifully decorated cakes for birthdays, baptisms and graduations. Violet was a 4H leader for many years sharing her love of sewing and baking and also was a member of the Lucky View Homemakers Club. She also worked alongside Willie crafting wood projects for their grandchildren. Violet was also a world class shopper and shared her shopping “gene” with her daughters and granddaughters, sometimes to the dismay of the men in the family.

Violet and Willie danced their way through life, and traveled with friends to numerous square dances and round dances across the U.S. and Canada. In their later years, they often found themselves the last couple dancing at the end of the longest married couples contest. They spent their retirement winters travelling in their motor home to Las Vegas, NV and Yuma, AZ and returned in the spring to golf and enjoy their life on the farm.

Violet and Willie shared 67 years of marriage, until Willie’s passing in November, 2017. They were lifetime sweethearts and taught their family and many who knew them the meaning of unconditional love and devotion.

She is survived by her son, Randy (Debbie) Olson, daughter-in-law Diana Olson; daughters Kay (Doug) Schmidt, Bobbi (Dick) Wendt, and Colleen (Scott) Hodenfield. Her grandchildren Janna (Aaron), Casey (MacKenzie), Kylee (Josh), Angela (Shane), Sara (Kevin), Steven (Sara), Ryan (Lisa), Jodie (Adam), Andy (Kaycee), Stephanie (Jeremy), Darin, Cody (Zoe), Braden, McKenna, and 27 1/2 great grandchildren, her sister Betty Weyrauch along with many nieces and nephews.

Loved ones waiting to greet her in heaven include her loving husband Willie, son Dick, her parents and her siblings Verna and Clyde.