Margaret Olson

Margaret Olson, 99, of Eau Claire, WI died Tuesday June 17th, 2025 at Lake Hallie Memory Care.

Maggie was born on February 6th, 1926 in Brookings, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Horace M. Ayer and Elizabeth Stevens Ayer.

She moved to Minneapolis when she was 6 and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1944. She then worked half time at the University of Minnesota Hospital, enabling her to attend that university where she met James Olson, who would become her life's companion for the next 67 years. They married in 1949 and moved to Beloit, WI where she worked for the WI State Employment Service. They lived in Beloit for 9 years interrupted by Jim's service in the Korean War. In the years following the war they were blessed with three children; Richard, Elizabeth, and Ann.

In 1959 they moved to Eau Claire where they lived for the rest of their lives. Maggie volunteered for a number of community organizations throughout her life including being an election clerk for many years in the Third Ward and later in the Town of Union. She was employed as the administrative coordinator for the Ecumenical Religious Center from 1972-1980. In 1981 she was hired to establish an office for Grace Lutheran Foundation where she remained until she retired.

During her life she enjoyed several trips to Europe and camping throughout the United States, often with children and grandchildren.

Her hobbies were sewing, especially hand smocking, and collecting miniatures for the dollhouse she built.

She is survived by her son Richard Olson (Anne Munro), daughters Elizabeth Olson and Ann Shuda (Dan); grandchildren Christopher (Luus Rekey Capella), and Shaun (Heather) Olson, Kathleen Frederick Schector, Emma Aikman, Hamilton (Krizia), and Harrison (Christina) Mee, Bethany (Steve) Kolve, Allison (Matthew Bents), Kelly, and Rosemary Shuda; great-grandchildren Kyana and Cameron Olson, Kester Maejj Olson, Kaylynn, Addisyn, and Aynsley Olson, Arianna, Iyla and Jude Aikman, Maleah and Roosevelt Mee, Gabby, Audrey, and Hamilton Jr. Mee, Britt (Zach) Larson, Sam Callarman, and Poppy and Maurice Bents.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Olson, her parents, her brothers David and Howard Ayer, and her daughter-in-law Susan Olson.

A Celebration of life will be held on Sunday July 20th from 3 to 5pm at the French Press Restaurant, 2823 London Rd in Eau Claire.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.