Funeral services for Lucy Ann Olesen, 85, of Estherville, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 24, 2024, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Estherville with Pastor Lori Westfall officiating. Interment will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, South Walnut Township, Iowa. She passed away on May 19, 2024, in Sioux Falls, SD.
Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m., today, Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.
Lucy Ann (Carson) Olesen was born on December 31, 1938, at the Coleman Hospital in Estherville, Iowa.
Lucy’s mother was Velma Clark Carson and father was Leslie V. Carson. Shortly after Lucy was born, her family moved to Pipestone, MN for a few years, and returned to Estherville when she was five years old, and her brother was 12 years old. She received her education in the Estherville Schools, except for her senior year at the Graettinger, Iowa, High School, and later she received her GED degree from Estherville.
She married the love of her life, Donald G. Olesen on August 5, 1956, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Graettinger, IA, of which she was baptized and became a Lutheran through adult confirmation. Born to this union are William Roger (Chris), Rick Lynn (Leslie), Kimberly Sue, Scott Edward (Michelle), and Eric Christian (Jennifer). Lucy loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother! Nothing made her happier than to cook and bake for her family. She also loved having her grandbabies stay with her, or to be present at school, music or sporting events the children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren were in. She as so proud of her family, and thanked God every day for his blessings of giving her such a wonderful family.
In her earlier years, she was a waitress at the Gardston Hotel, Majestic Restaurant, and worked at the Lakes waiting tables for a summer.
She was a Pure Fishing (Berkley) employee for 30+ years, working in productions, warehouse, and consumer services. She was always proud of doing the best for co-workers and customers. Lucy was awarded the Berkley “Quality Co-Worker of the Year” award in 1988. In her retirement, Lucy was a caregiver for her community, volunteering for Respite Angels and other organizations. However, her most important and loved occupation was being a mother. That is all she ever wanted to do.
Lucy was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Eastern Star, Respite Angels, a Den Mother for Scouts, and a Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed Redeemer’s Bible studies, circle and the friendship she received from its members. She always said she needed to go to Sunday services for a battery recharge.
Lucy is survived by her children, William Roger (Chris), Rick Lynn (Leslie), Kimberly Sue, Scott Edward (Michelle), and Eric Christian (Jennifer); Grandchildren, Aaron (Samantha) Olesen, Kellen Bonner, Adam (Bekah) Olesen, Megan (Eric) Jacobson, Alex (Justin) Blinkmann, Christian Bonner, Evan Olesen, Nick Olesen and Zoe Olesen; step-grandchildren, Kendall, Carsten and Jacob Bosch; great-grandchildren, Hayden Benjamin, Luke, and Liam Jacobson.
Family members who preceded Lucy in death are her husband, Donald Olesen, her brother, Les Carson, Don’s twin brother, Ron, her father, Leslie Carson, mother, Velma Flier, grandparents, Ralph and Lucy Clark and Fred and Etta Carson, and Don’s parents, Clarence and Grace Olesen.
Lucy’s family prefers memorials to Respite Angels, Redeemer Lutheran Church or the Estherville VFW.
Online condolences may be left for Lucy’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com.
