Alta Mae Olien, 93
Alta Mae Olien, 93, of New Richmond, Wis., died Feb. 12 at the Deerfield, her home for the past 10 years.
Alta Mae Olien, 93, of New Richmond, Wis., died Feb. 12 at the Deerfield, her home for the past 10 years.
Funeral services for Mrs. Olien will be held at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Deerfield Chapel in New Richmond.
Alta Mae was born Nov. 17, 1919, in Star Prairie, Wis., to Alfred N. and Louise Miller Bottolfson. A 1937 graduate of New Richmond High School, she married Marvin W. Olien in May 1938.
During World War II while Marvin was serving in the United States Army Air Corps, she began working for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M), eventually rising to the position of department head of computer operations. Later, she was employed by Mounds Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. She served as office manager for New Richmond physician Dr. O. Hoyt Epley. Alta Mae's 18 years before retirement were spent as office manager for New Richmond City Utilities.
Alta Mae was an active member for over 50 years in the Organization of Eastern Star and remained an active congregant at First Lutheran Church of New Richmond. She loved traveling and gardening and was a voracious reader. Researching and composing her family genealogy held special joy for Alta Mae. She considered it an important task that connected her with family in Norway a century following her ancestor's immigration to the United States.
Alta Mae's strong advocacy for higher education greatly inspired her sons. She was instrumental in ensuring their academic success. Alta Mae loved and was loved by all. Her gentle grace and gracious hospitality will be remembered by her loving family and countless friends.
She is survived by her three sons, Roger of Austin, Texas, David (Deborah Smith) of Madison, Wis., and Mark of Stillwater, Minn. Survivors also include three beloved grandchildren, Christina (Nina) Bosco of London, England, Elizabeth (Libby) Hill of Williamsburg, Va., Catherine (Cassie) Olien of Evanston, Ill.; her loving sister Elaine Altstatt of St. Paul; and two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Oscar (Peg) Olien Jr. and Mrs. Bill (Martha) Smith, both of New Richmond, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Alta Mae Olien was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin; beloved daughter-in-law Sharon Olien; sisters Carmen, Vida; and brothers, Donald and Alton. Also preceding her in death were nephews Steven Smith, Donald Marion, Steven Altstatt, and her niece Karen Bottolfson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be donated to the American Cancer Society. Private interment will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services Beebe Chapel of New Richmond.
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Paul Z.
Forest Lake, MN 02/17/2013 3:44 PM
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Paul Z.
Forest Lake, MN 02/17/2013 3:43 PM
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john a.
I too have many memories of my aunt. Some of the most vivid and most endearing are the visits we had with Alta Mae at the Deerfield over the last few years.Although we weren't ready to lose her. She had suffered enough and was ready to enter into God's Kingdom, Roger,David,and Mark I am sorry for your loss but your mother is in a far better place. I wish I could attend the funeral but I won't get back to Texas until Feb. 20. Our thoughts are with all of you. John and Bev AltstattFifty Lakes, MN 02/19/2013 10:36 PM
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