January 16, 1931 – January 20, 2026
Donna Jean Olson, age 95 of Forest City, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City, Iowa.
Per her wishes, she will be cremated, and no services held. Burial of her cremains as well as her husband’s will take place in the spring at Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Lake Mills, IA.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.
Donna was born January 16, 1931 in Blooming Prairie, MN to Hubbard and Amy Thurston. Her stepfather was Arnold Ray. She graduated from Faribault, MN high school. Donna met Phil Olson at the roller-skating rink in Forest City, and in 1952 they married.
She worked at Winnebago Industries for 23 years, retiring in 1993. Donna loved spending time with family, and enjoyed regular coffee and conversation with friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Phil; two sisters, Phyllis Schwichtenberg and BeBe Jensen; and brother, Ronald Thurston.
She is survived by her three daughters, Vana (Ron) Gilchrist, Connie (Ben) Hornberg, and Julie (Doug) Knapper and one son, Matt (Cindy); grandchildren, Amy (Phil) Thorne, Derek (Sarah) Hornberg, Dustin Hornberg, Aaron (Tierra) Knapper, Joe Knapper, Sarah (Ben) Harthan, and John Knapper; great-grandchildren, Septus Thorne, Alden Hornberg, Oliver Hornberg, Dakota Knapper, Peyton Knapper, Dozier Knapper, Rebekah Harthan, and Madelyn Harthan; and one brother, Jack; as well as many other relatives and friends.
The family is truly grateful for the care and compassion she received from the Forest City Good Samaritan Center.
She will be missed and remembered by family and friends.
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