H. Virginia Olson
MARQUETTE, MI – Harriet Virginia Olson, age 96, of Marquette, passed away Thursday, January 19th, 2023, at home, in the loving, comforting care of her family and caregivers of UP Home Health and Hospice.
Born January 15th, 1927, in Escanaba, Ginny was the first child of John Harry and Alma (Kramer) Peterson. She grew up in Foster City, MI. After graduating from Felch High School in 1942, she attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Marquette. As a registered nurse, she worked at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, which became Marquette General Hospital, and finally in the Urology Office of Doctors: Barsch, Mering and Mattson. Ginny worked in the OB, the OR, as an office nurse and a traveling clinic nurse, before retiring in her 70’s. She had a strong work ethic throughout her life.
Ginny’s hobbies included knitting (mittens, hats, and slippers), baking (especially for NMU hockey “boys” on their birthdays or holidays), doing word searches, watching “Jeopardy”, and making quilts with the Messiah Lutheran Church quilt group. Along with her husband, Sanfred, whom she married on December 17th, 1949, she was an avid NMU hockey fan since the team began and was named “Super Fan” at a game, when she was in her nineties. With this connection she added “sons”, Walt and John.
Virginia is survived by her daughters, Pam (Dan) Clark of Marquette and Paula (Dan) Rampe of San Francisco, CA; her sister, Joyce Peterson; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins and special friends, “Sally’s girls”, Marie Sarkela, and Billie Johnson.
In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Sanfred Olson in 2011; a brother, Lowell Peterson; three brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law; special friend, Sally Zanetti; and canine kids, Beauty, Napper, Biscuit, Jedda, and Ziggy.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the caregivers of UP Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care and guidance.
A private family interment will be made in the spring at Northland Chapel Gardens.
Memorials may be directed to UPAWS (Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter), 815 South Highway M553, Gwinn, MI 49841, or to a charity of your choice.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.