Mary R. Olson was born Mary Ruth Heinicke, along with identical twin sister Martha, on Feb. 7, 1956 in Council Bluffs Iowa to parents Edward and Nadine (Weber) Heinicke.
She graduated from Manning High School in Manning Iowa in 1974. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Mary was a Special Education Teacher at Todd County Schools in Mission SD for 17 years. While teaching in Todd County she acquired her master’s degree in Special Education from the University of South Dakota, graduating with a GPA of 4.0.
In 1995 she started teaching Special Education at Stanley County Schools in Fort Pierre SD, she taught there until her retirement in August of 2018.
During her teaching career she loved many of her students as much as her own children and they loved her.
Mary married Ricky D. Olson from Winner SD on May 4 1985. To this union were born two sons, Noah and Robert Olson.
Mary was a Breast Cancer Survivor. Mary was a tough lady battling many medical problems during her working career. She beat cancer, obtained her Master’s Degree all while working and raising two young children. She had the full load when her husband served in the Gulf War.
She was a strong supporter of Women’s and LGBQT rights. Mary also supported legalizing medical marijuana because of her many decade fights with pain.
Mary was much loved by her husband, sons and dogs Aramis and Sir. Mary enjoyed vacationing with her family, mother and sisters.
Mary was very mad and saddened that the political brainwashing of people like Rush Limbaugh had split her once close family in half. Many of the siblings have not talked in over a decade.
She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Nadine Heinicke. She is survived by her husband Ricky, sons Noah, Robert, Craig Westergren and Thomas Metzker, Sisters Martha Heincke and wife Karen Mills, Rebecca Heinicke, Sandra Hespe, brother Philip Heinicke and brothers Mark, John and Peter Heinicke.
She is also survived and will be sorely missed by mother Marilyn Olson and the whole Olson clan from the Winner SD area.
Mary’s memorial charity is Hopeless to Homes Animal Rescue in Pierre SD: c/o All Creatures Animal Clinic, 1415 N. Harrison Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501. There will be a Celebration of Life in May when it is hopefully warmer and safer from Covid. Mary would be deeply saddened if anybody got Covid celebrating her life. Online condolences may be written at: www.isburgfuneralchapels.com
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