Arlene Olson, 87, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD.
Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Burial will be held at a later date. A visitation will be held one hour prior to memorial service.
Arlene was born on a homestead 6 miles north of Mission, a daughter of William and Opal Leighton, she was the 3rd born of her parents. Growing up with 2 sisters named Donna and Hazel, and a brother named Bud. In her early years she raised chickens and ducks that she loved to care for, and riding her buckskin horse named Buck.
She would ride Buck a few miles every day to the country school in Todd County where she gained her education. Later on, in life she moved into Mission to live with her sister, and to start work for the local veterinarian, where she met the love of her life, Alvin Olson.
Arlene and Alvin got married at the Winner Methodist church on Sept. 14, 1957 and from that unity she had two beautiful children. Ray was her first born son on Sept. 30, 1958 and he was her whole world until the birth of her second child named Debbie on Jan. 28 1966.
In her later years she became a laundry housekeeper and loved working for Bud and Louanne Haley at Haley’s Motel, then the Haley’s had the Warrior Inn built and she continued her career there when Gary and Sheryl Hutchison became the new owner and from that bloomed a great friendship for Sheryl and Arlene.
Arlene retired from the Warrior Inn to enjoy her golden year with grand and great grandchildren.
Alvin and Arlene loved to travel to their favorite destination Branson, MO and to Texas, and various other locations. There are many great and fond memories of her in her many years of life.
Arlene loved to make people happy, one time she and Jean walked across town just to get ice cream from the Dairy Queen, because they were in the mood to get ice cream.
Her hobby was sewing, she could make or repair any outfit she desired, and made many Barbie doll clothes as well.
Arlene is preceded in death by her parents William and Opal Leighton, two sisters Hazel Harrison, Donna Larvie, adopted brothers Ronnie Baker, and Benny Leighton.
She is survived by her loving husband Alvin Olson, son Ray Olson, daughter Debbie Hoffer, brother Bud Leighton, adopted brother Donnie Baker, adopted sister Ida Icard, and many great grandchildren, as well and nieces and nephews.
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