Dorothy Olson, age 91, was reunited with Vince, the love of her life, on April 24, 2022. She touched many lives during her 91 years and will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. A funeral service will be held at 5:00 PM Saturday, April 30th at Epworth United Methodist Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Epworth United Methodist Church. A formal time of sharing memories and stories about Dorothy will begin at 4:00 followed by the funeral service beginning at 5:00 PM. Interment will be held on Monday, May 2nd at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery south of Mandan at 3:00 PM.
Dorothy was born to Art and Alice Ratzlaff on September 20, 1930 in Valley City where she grew up and graduated from VCHS in 1948. During her junior year, she met Vincent Olson. She was charmed by his effervescent personality, but was not particularly impressed that he did not seem to share her seriousness for studying. They began dating in 1947 and, as she would say, “the rest is history!” After graduating, Dorothy went on to Mercy School of Nursing in Valley City. Vince & Dorothy were married on same afternoon she graduated with her RN degree and Vince shipped out for Korea a short time later. With some urging from the Valley City community, the Olson Funeral Home was established and celebrated its grand opening in September of 1957. They then waited….and waited…and waited for business. Dorothy was the boots on the ground for getting organized and office affairs. To accommodate time with their growing family, they later merged with another funeral home in Valley City and started the Peterson-Olson Funeral Home (1965-1983). After “retirement,” Vince ran for the legislature, which presented Dorothy with yet another new adventure in Bismarck.
Dorothy worked as a nurse in a variety of capacities. While Vince was in Korea, she was the night supervisor at Mercy Hospital, later working at MacDonald Clinic. At the same time, they owned and operated the ambulance service where Dorothy was the “onboard nurse.” In 1979, she quit working at the funeral home and began a new career with Proctor & Gamble, marketing adult diapers. The traveling was overwhelming and she left the job after two years. She then went to work for Professional Rehabilitation Management. Some travel was required, but now with Vince retired, he began “Driving Miss Dorothy” all over the region.
Dorothy loved her friends and relationships. She played with the same bridge club for fifty years. She enjoyed her Bible study and was involved in many church activities. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and traveled around the region to attend functions. She was active with water aerobics, becoming the leader during the months she spent in Arizona. She always welcomed visitors in both Arizona and North Dakota, Let us raise our glasses with a Crown Royal toast to Dorothy for a job well done! At her 80th birthday celebration Dorothy said, “I have had a good life. God has provided me with a wonderful husband…. five children who have made my life worthwhile and, the loves of my life, seven grandchildren: Sarah, Becky, Mike, Charlie, Dustin, Hannah and Haley. I have been blessed indeed!” (Dorothy in her own words.)
Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her children: Bob Schlotman (son-in-law), Cooperstown; Linda Olson, Cooperstown; David Olson, Valley City; Dan (Patty) Olson, Fargo; Grandchildren: Michael (Jenny) Schlotman-(Bob); Sarah (Rodd) Zorn & Becky (Perry) Kuus-(Connie); Charlie Olson-(Linda); Dustin Olson, Hannah (Cory) Hoffstatter & Haley Olson-(David); and Great-Grandchildren: Berkley Kuus-(Becky); Grace, Madelyn & Gus Zorn-(Sarah). Hattie & baby to be born Hoffstatter (Hannah)
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Vince; an infant son, Michael; daughters, Beth and Connie; and her parents and grandparents.
A funeral service will be held at 5:00 PM Saturday, April 30th at Epworth United Methodist Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Epworth United Methodist Church. A formal time of sharing memories and stories about Dorothy will begin at 4:00 followed by the funeral service beginning at 5:00 PM. Interment will be held on Monday, May 2nd at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan at 3:00 PM.
An online guestbook and the time of sharing and the funeral service for Dorothy will be livestreamed at www.lerudmathias.com
The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.