Barb J. Olson

Barbara Olson, age 75 of Tracy, passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at St. Cloud Hospital.  Private family services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2021 with a Facebook livestream at Stephens Funeral Service Facebook page.  A public visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 28 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service Monday at the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Hoiland Lutheran Cemetery in Garvin at a later date.  

Barbara Jane(Mitchell) Olson was born on December 6, 1945 to Raymond Mitchell and Vesta (Christensen) Mitchell, in Ft. Meyers, Florida.  She was baptized and confirmed at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler.  After marrying Buzzy, she became a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church.   Barb’s passion was family, the farm life, and helping people.  She grew up on her parent’s farm Southeast of Ruthton.  Barb was active in 4-H and had a love for horses.  On July 1, 1967, she married Eugene “Buzzy” Olson in Tyler.  To this union, four children were born, Michelle, Michael, Matthew, and Malynnda.  In February 1975, Barb and Buzzy settled down on the family farm by Amiret, where she remained until her final days.  Barb was a model farmer’s wife.  She was a teacher’s aide for almost twenty years, a job she loved immensely.  Barb was also an assessor for 48 years, assessing in three counties.  She was a friend to everyone and would drop everything to help anyone out.  Barb cherished time with Buzzy, their 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.  Barb was an active gardener who had a natural green thumb.  She enjoyed all kinds of plants and flowers and would attract hummingbirds as well as songbirds.  Her hobbies included knitting and sewing, cooking, and four-wheeling with friends.  She loved animals.  Barb was always ready to play a game of cribbage; she had a unique way of counting her crib: runs before pairs and the 15 twos came last.  Barb was an exceptional cook who would serve anyone who came through the door.  She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church ladies aide, and was an organizer for the annual cookie walk.  Barb helped annually with preschool screening, and delivered meals on wheels for years.  In 2010, Buzzy and Barb were honored as the Tracy Area Chamber’s Farmers of the Year.  Barb was also a lifelong member of the American Legion Auxillary in Garvin, where she held numerous positions. 

Barb is survived by her children: Michelle (Shawn) Cilek, Michael (Debra) Olson, Matthew (Rhonda Houtcooper) Olson, and Malynnda (Rich) Erickson; sister, Mary Mitchell; sister-in-law, Roberta (Daryld) Brinkman; grandsons: David (Ashley) Jones, David (Sandi) Olson, Alex (Elizabeth) Jones, Dylan (Claire) Olson, Curtis Erickson, Camden Cilek, and Kilen Cilek; granddaughters: Michelle (DJ) Heisey, Madeline (Mason) Olson, Katrina Olson and Makenzie Olson; and 5 (soon-to-be 6) great-grandchildren.  Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Buzzy, parents Raymond and Vesta Mitchell, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  Blessed are we to have had her in our life.