Joy Madreen Olson

Published June 18, 2021 at 9:14 AM

Olson (Johnson), Joy Madreen 83, of Minnetonka, MN died peacefully on June 14, 2021, after a courageous ten-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Joy was born on August 27, 1937, to Victor and Ideal Viola (Brown) Johnson in Fargo, North Dakota where she grew up on a farm near Harwood. She graduated from Moorhead State Teacher’s College High School. Joy worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, the Russ Buick car dealership and Fargo Glass & Paint as a receptionist and switchboard operator. She married Ralph C. Olson on September 13, 1958. Joy and Ralph lived in six different states because of his job transfers - North Dakota, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Verne and Layton and sister Donna Satherhagen. Joy is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Ralph, daughter Kay (Howard) Witherspoon, sons Barry (Jana) and Todd (Laurie); grandchildren Alex (Morgan), Adam, Kyle, Jason, and Hannah; great granddaughter, August Sailor; sister-in-laws Arlene, Nancy, Shirley (Bill), Mary (Bruce) and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Many thanks to the wonderful and caring staff at Havenwood Minnetonka and AccentCare Fairview Hospice.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 25 at 10am at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND with visitation one hour prior. Burial to follow at 12 noon in Springvale Cemetery. The service will be live streamed and recorded at Boulger’s. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sharing & Caring Hands of Minneapolis.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. Online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.