Shirley J. Olson, 85 of Northwood passed away surrounded by family Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am Monday, July 29, 2024 at First Lutheran Church, 309 9th St N, Northwood, IA 50459, with Rev. Becky Sogge officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Rest Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 1st Ave. South, Northwood, IA. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at the church.
Shirley JoAnn Butler was born August 28, 1938, the daughter of Palmer and Georgina (Knudson) Butler, on the family farm just southwest of Northwood. Shirley attended country school through the 8th grade, graduating from Northwood High School in 1956. Following her graduation, she continued her education at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea in pursuit of becoming an X-Ray Tech. Following her training she was hired by the department and continued working there until 1958. It was on December 28, 1957 that Shirley married the love of her life, Norman Olson at First Lutheran Church in Northwood, IA. The couple moved to Newman Grove, NE in 1958 to take over the Olson Family Farm. It was here that Shirley and Norman made their home and were blessed with two children, Steven and Dianne. Shirley was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and served in the offices for the Ladies Aid and Circles. She served in many offices in the numerous clubs and organizations she was a part of. In 1982, Norm’s health began to deteriorate, sadly having to give up farming, the couple returned to Northwood. Shirley found work at Northwood Meats for ten years up until their closing, later she served at the Lutheran Retirement Home, retiring in 2011.
Shirley loved to travel and was blessed to see all 50 states and 12 different countries. She was a member of First Lutheran Church and active in Leah Circle. But, most of all, her greatest love was for her children, grandchildren. Time spent with her family was deeply cherished.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Dianne Bailey; grandchildren, Sarah Odom of Oregon and Amy (Brandon Wheeler) Odom of Cedar Falls; great-grandchildren, Guster Norman Wheeler and Luna Wheeler; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Those greeting Shirley in Heaven include her parents, Palmer and Georgina; beloved husband of 56 years, Norman Olson; her son, Steven Olson who passed in 2019 and an infant son, Darwin Lee; an infant granddaughter, Carrissa Odom; son-in-law, Bob Bailey; sisters, Genevieve Johnson Methus and husband, Conrad Johnson, Annette Miller and husband, Don, and Margaret Weingart and husband, John; brothers, Melbourne and Earl Butler; brothers-in-law, Howard, Leonard, and Stan Olson; and her mother and father-in-law, Berndt and Rebecca Olson.
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