Kathleen Phyllis Olson

Kathy was born in Austin, MN on April 7, 1932 the 7th of 10 children to William & Ethel Cunningham Arett. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. The family moved from their farm near Oakland to Albert Lea during the depression, and Kathy attended both country school and Albert Lea schools in town. She met her husband, Donny Olson, when she was 17 and married him 7 years later on May 4, 1957. They shared a love of horses and spent many happy years raising horses and participating in horse shows, county fairs and parades in Minnesota and Iowa. They especially enjoyed trail rides in Wykoff, MN. She enjoyed camping, dancing, planting flowers and visiting with her friends and family. She was well known for her lefse and angel food cakes, and took great pleasure in sharing her secret recipe and technique with her daughter and granddaughter, although they never got it quite the same. Kathy worked at various jobs, including Wilson & Company in the 1950's and 60's, and most recently the Moose Lodge of Albert Lea. However, her favorite job was being a mother to her only child, Beth Ann born in 1962 and her two grandchildren, Leah 21 and Taylor 17. She deeply loved her family and was deeply loved in return. Kathy is survived by her daughter, Beth Atz and husband Bruce of Albert Lea. Grandchildren: Leah and Taylor Atz. Sisters: Jurine Johnson, Marjorie Barber, Mae Reichow, Libby Darrel Maternowski and Marlene Brown. Brother: Jerry Karen Arett, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donny in 2005; brothers: Lawrence, William and Kenneth.