Joanne Olson

September 13, 1938 - March 5, 2021

The funeral service for Joanne “Annie” Sophie Olson, of Wadena, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9th, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena, with Pastor Megan Clapp presiding.  Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and will resume on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. After a short battle with cancer, Joanne, age 82, passed away with family at her side on Friday, March 5, 2021 at the Meadows in Wadena, MN. Joanne was born to Arthur and Luella (Brinkman) Heitman on September 13, 1938 in St Paul, MN.  Joanne graduated high school from South St Paul High School in 1956.  Joanne was united in marriage to Marlin Richard Olson Sr. (son of Frank and Agnes Olson) on June 23, 1956 at Luther Memorial Church in South St Paul.                                                                 The Wadena community and the church family of Immanuel Lutheran will remember Joanne for the many years she organized and served Rotary meals.  Joanne also owned and operated a hatchery for 10 years, but ultimately she was the secretary and bookkeeper for Marlin’s Small Engine Repair shop until Marlin Jr’s death in 2017. Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Luella Heitman, son Marlin Olson Jr., siblings, Jerry Heitman, George Heitman, Herb Heitman, Jeannie Hoffmeyer and Bonnie Mickelson and brother-in-law Scott Hatlestad. Joanne is survived by her husband of 64 years, Marlin R Olson Sr. of Wadena; son Thomas (Anna) Olson, grandchildren, Joshua Olson and Jasmyn Olson; brother Mernie (JoAnn) Heitman, sisters: Sharon (Mick) Meiklejohn and Dianne Hatlestad, brothers-in-law, Bill Hoffmeyer, Mike Mickelson and sisters-in-Law, Marge Heitman and Holly Heitman, along with a number of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Pallbearers will be Debbie Boldt, Jodie Heitman, Kathy Fogelberg, Jeff Hoffmeyer, Tara Bryson, and Denise Olson. Burial will be in the Wadena Cemetery, Wadena MN.