Shirley Muriel Olson

Funeral services for Shirley Olson, age 103 will be 2:00 PM Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Lake Whitewood Lutheran Church rural Arlington, with Vicar Brad Sanderson officiating. Visitation will be Friday, February 2, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington. Military honors will be provided by Edgar L. Herrick American Legion Post #42 of Arlington.

Shirley was born on January 9, 1921 to Halvor and Olive (Hefte) Lee on a farm 6 miles NW of Arlington, South Dakota.  She graduated from Arlington High School then went to work as a bookkeeper.  In 1943 she joined the Women’s Army Corp and served 33 months in Texas, Papua New Guinea and Manila Philippines. She was a Chief Clerk in the Post Engineers and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant.

On Feb. 7, 1948, she married Ray LeVern Olson, to this union 4 sons were born, Dale, Reid, Lyle and Dean. 

They had a Grade A dairy farm outside of Arlington and farmed for 25 years.  In 1973 they sold the farm and moved to Pierre South Dakota for two years before moving to Boise Idaho.

Shirley worked at the Department of Health & Welfare for the State of Idaho as an Account Technician for 9 ½ years until she retired in 1985. For many years after retirement Shirley and Ray traveled the country in their motor home towing the car behind, with Shirley driving. She was a member of The American Legion and VFW. Shirley was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and enjoyed making quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She also enjoyed sewing, reading, traveling, baking, hunting, watching baseball and fishing with the family.

Shirley passed away peacefully in her home on January 22, 2024. She is survived by her youngest sister, Norma (Verne) Hansen of Volga SD. Her sons, Dale (Linda) of Glenrock WY, Reid (Mary) of Chehalis WA, Dean (Jeanne) of Emmett ID. Her grandchildren, Daelynn, April, Josie, Jason, Amber, Jacob, Jordan and Joseph. Her great-grandchildren, Cataleya, Gabriel, Gunnar, Olivia, Ella and Matthew. Shirley loved and was loved and admired by many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Shirley in death by her husband, Ray, son, Lyle and grandson, Justin. Also, her parents, Halvor and Olive, brothers, Royce, Lloyd, Robert, Glen, and sisters, Frances, Mavis and Ruth.

Thanks to the staff of the Boise Veterans Administration Medical Center for treating Shirley with respect and dignity. The staff always made Shirley feel like she was their only patient.

A special thanks to Shirley’s primary caretakers for her final years; her grandson Jordan, Elena Velazquez, Charla Dudley and Theresa Rogers. Shirley loved them all.

Services in Boise will be on Saturday January 27th at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

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