Olga May Schmitt

Olga May Schmitt was born August 2, 1917 on a homestead in Mountrail County, North Dakota.  She was the second child and only daughter of Carl and Anna (Finstad) Aanerud and grew up with six brothers.  She was baptized and confirmed in Bathania Lutheran Church and attended school into 10th grade in Van Hook, ND.  During the depression and dust storms of the early 1930’s, the family moved to northern Canada; and in 1934, the family returned to Freeman Township, south of Albert Lea.  Olga worked for various homes as a “Mother’s Helper” or “Hired Girl”, but her dearest wish was to return and graduate from high school.  With determination she accomplished this and graduated from Emmons High School with the class of 1939.  Following graduation she worked for F. W. Woolworth stores in Albert Lea, Chicago and Los Angeles.  During WWII she was employed in the offices of North American Aircraft in Inglewood, California.  On May 10, 1945 Olga married Staff Sgt. Ervin M. Stenseth of Freeman Township, while he was stationed in Dallas, Texas.  On Ervin’s discharge from the Army, they returned to Albert Lea.  They purchased the Twin Lakes Hardware Store, which they operated until Ervin’s death in 1957.  Ervin and Olga were the parents of four daughters; Linda, Diane, Laurie and Robin.  On October 19, 1961 Olga married Laverne W. Schmitt at Lunder Lutheran Church.  They moved to Laverne’s farm near Emmons where they farmed until retiring to Albert Lea in 2000.  Laverne passed away in 2003.  Olga worked in the Auto License Bureau when Laverne was deputy register of motor vehicles in Freeborn County.  While Olga’s daughters were growing up, she was very active in their lives.  She served as 4-H leader, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, she also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.  Olga was a long time member of Emmons Lutheran Church and also of the Twin Lakes Senior Citizens and Emmons Legion Auxiliary.  Olga was a care giver all her life.  Growing up she helped care for her younger brothers. As a young widow, she cared for her own children, as well as caring for each of her husbands, through long illnesses prior to their deaths.  Olga loved caring for her home, gardening and reading.  She was happiest when she was surrounded by her family.  
She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; brothers Arthur (Mabel), Clarence (Anne), Robert (Alta), Alan (Patricia) and William (Helen).  
Surviving are her daughters; Linda Stenseth of Albert Lea, Diane (Lester) Shaunce of Albert Lea, Laurie Stenseth of La Cresent and Robin (Wayne) Erickson of Ely; brother, James (Shirley) Aanerud of Santa Barbara, CA; grandchildren, Steven Shaunce, Stephannie (Jay) Hueper, David (Julie)Erickson and Christopher Erickson; great-grandchildren Taylor Shaunce, Emery Erdman and Parker and Lincoln Hueper; and many nieces and nephews.