Obituary of Donna Mae Olson

A funeral service for Donna Mae Olson of Spirit Lake, Iowa, will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, May 13, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake.  Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake.

Donna was born on May 9, 1928 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of Olive and Reverend Edward Beyer. She’s now in Heaven as of May 9, 2024, her 96th birthday.

In between these milestones, she married Dwain Olson on June 1, 1948. The wedding was officiated by her Father in her country church in Alcester, South Dakota. In 1954, after a good deal of research they decided Spirit Lake was the perfect place to live and raise children. Dwain and Donna owned and operated Olson’s Grocery Store in downtown Spirit Lake for many years. Her greatest joy and most successful endeavor was raising her six children: Melodee, Kim, Heidi, Brad, Brett and Stacy. Her parenting style was just right - a disciplinarian who also was witty, playful, irreverent and fun. She helped with homework, put a hot meal on the table at 6:00 every night and, once the kids were in bed, found time to design and sew beautiful dresses for her daughters. Birthdays always felt special. Once the children were moving on to high school and college she struck out on a new career. From 1976 to 1985, she was an interior designer at Tonsfeldt Furniture in Spirit Lake. Donna was entrepreneurial and creative, which led her to open a small business, Picture Perfect, where she displayed artwork and designed custom framing for her clients. She ran her business with intention, style and integrity. Her beautiful, artistic designs brought joy into the hearts and homes of so many. Donna and Dwain also traveled extensively, California was their favorite destination.

Donna will be forever remembered by her children: Melodee Fassero, Kim Norman, Brad Olson (Laurie), Dr. Brett Olson, Stacy Williams (Mike); 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Dwain, daughter Heidi Clarity (Kevin) and granddaughter Samantha Williams.

Donna had a full life on earth, but to be in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the best of all!