Vernette Olson age 95 of Westbrook passed away quietly Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Home in Westbrook. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 22 at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church, rural Westbrook. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Burial is in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Vernette Stavnes Olson was born to Ole and Mabel Erickson in Mankato, Minnesota over 95 years ago on October 5, 1919.  Vernette lived in Cottonwood County her entire life.  She grew up on her parent’s farm two miles north of Westbrook, graduated from Westbrook High School, then attended Mankato State for two years. She came home to live again with her dad, sister Lorraine and brother Eugene when her mother died suddenly.  A year later she married Clifford Stavnes.  They lived on the Stavnes’ family farm in Highwater Township near the double schoolhouse where they raised their six children. In 1965, Clifford died suddenly at the age of 51.  She remained on that farm until she married Oscar Olson in 1969.  Oscar’s farm three miles north of Storden became her next home.  Vernette lived there until Oscar died in 2009, when she moved into the home in Westbrook. Among her many interests were gardening, sewing, baking, perusing old family photos and talking about family history with cousin Frankie.  She had more time after her children were grown and became an avid bowler, golfer, and quilter.  Oscar and Vernette spent many winters with other snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona, but her best times were when the house was full and noisy, when she was surrounded by her children and friends.

She is survived by her children: Diane (Dale) Hoganson, Juhl (Char) Stavnes, Lowell (Karla) Stavnes, Alvie (Barb) Stavnes, and Keith Stavnes; son-in-law George McMullen; grandchildren: Mike, Jeff, and Jennifer Hoganson, Amy Lensing, Sara Mattson, Abby Brockman, Katie Swanson, Ashley Stavnes, Tyrus, Jordan, and Brandon Stavnes, Angela Ulrich, Joshua Stavnes, Hilary Freeman, and Tristin Stavnes; 15 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Donna Erickson and Kay Olson; and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her first husband Clifford Stavnes, second husband Oscar Olson, sister Lorraine Nelson, brother Eugene Erickson, daughter Sandra McMullen, and grandson Clifford Paul Stavnes.