A graveside service will be held this summer, at a date to be announced later.

Ellen-Jane Arlene Kruschke was born on Sept. 3, 1935 in Breckenridge, to Myra (Firle) and Armie Kruschke. She grew up on several different farms in Wilkin County and attended country schools in the area until graduating from Canby High School in 1953. She attended the Miller School of Nursing in St. Paul, finishing in September 1954. She received her license as a Licensed Practical Nurse in January 1955.

She married Arthur Elling Olson on September 19 1954 in the Methodist Church in Ortonville, and the couple moved to Loves Park, Illinois. In 1955, the couple moved to Davenport, Iowa, then to Wahpeton, N.D. in 1956. Son, Daniel was born while the couple lived in Davenport. Eventually,the couple settled in Ortonville, MN, where Ellen was employed at the Ortonville Municipal hospital. In 1958 the couple purchased a Standard Oil Station in Benson and moved to Benson. Ellen was employed at the Swift County-Benson Hospital. In that setting she was trained as a surgical scrub nurse and obtained certification as an operating room technician.

Art joined Associated Milk Producers Inc in 1967. In 1979 Art became assistant manager of the AMPI cheese plant in Clarkfield, MN and the couple moved to Granite Falls. Again, Ellen was employed at the hospital as a Certified Operating Technician until 1973. At that time Ellen sought employment at Rodgers Hydraulic. She was hired as a secretary, eventually becoming buyer/expeditor and finally an Assistant Purchasing Manager.

After seven years at Rodgers Hydraulic, Ellen was hired as Assistant Administrator of Project Turnabout (an addiction treatment center in Granite Falls.) While employed at Project Turnabout Ellen completed her college degree and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Social Services from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 1982. Ellen and Art moved to New Ulm in 1983. Art continued working for AMPI and Ellen pursued her new career as a social worker at Brown County Family Services. She obtained her Licensed Social Worker status while employed at Brown County Family Services.

Ellen began taking classes at United Theological Seminary in New Brighton. She graduated with a Diploma in Religious Education. She applied for a Ministerial License from the United Church of Christ and was licensed as a pulpit supply minister in 1994. She served two extended pulpit supply terms: St. Paul’s UCC in Henderson, and Congregational UCC in Sleepy Eye. During the 13 years she served as a pulpit supply minister she led worship at over 25 different UCC churches in southern Minnesota.

In 2001 she was recognized by the national body of the UCC at the General Synod meeting in Kansas City, MO for her work within the United Church of Christ. She retired from social work and ministry in 1997. Her “retirement undertaking” was massage. She operated “Celestial Touch Massage and Rieke” out of her home from 2001 until 2005.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arthur Elling Olson in 2000, and two infant children: Deborah Ellen in 1956 and David Armie in 1958. Also preceding her were brothers-in-law James Severson of Bottineau, N.D (1985) and Don Olson of Crescent City, CA.

She is survived by her son, Daniel Deorge Olson of Rochester; special friend Franklin Schoenke, many nieces and nephews. Ellen was active in her community whereever she lived: American Red Cross First Aid Training and Teaching, Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurses Association even holding state offices. Cofounder and first president of the Minnesota Detox Directors Association, National Association of Purchasing Management, receiving National certification by passing national exams and becoming Minnesota’s first female Certified Purchasing Manager in 1979. She was a member of PEO, Literary Club, Study Group at the UCC Church,She was an active worker in the Brown County DFL.

Ellen tried to have fun wherever she went and was usually found joking around. She enjoyed playing tricks on people or getting them together so she could tell a “tall tale”.

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