Darlene Ruth Olson

Darlene (Dolly) was born to Julius and Hannah Schermerhorn in Hankinson, ND on September 19, 1931. When she was very young the family moved to Callaway, MN where they farmed for years.

She married Glenn Arnold Olson on October 2, 1949. They made there home in Shell Lake Township, Becker County, MN where they farmed until moving to Detroit Lakes in 1966. She had six children, Gerald, Merlin (Mary), Linda (Arnold), Lois (Kent), Neal (Jeanie), and Paul.

Darlene loved to read her Bible, knit, crochet, spin wool, and fish. She was well known for her spinning and her knitting. Glenn and Darlene were often seen at craft shows where she sold her crafts. Glenn and Darlene traveled to California for several winters and spent them with her son Merlin and wife Mary. While there she went to many craft shows and sold her crafts as well as set up her spinning wheel and spun for the crowd. She taught many people how to spin as well as knit. She was sought after for the shows as she was a big draw with her spinning. She was also a very good shot with a .22, and while on the farm she kept pests out of her garden and orchard, such as rabbits, squirrels, skunks, and racoons. Darlene canned countless jars of vegetables, fruit, and meat, and kept the family well fed in the winter. Darlene loved to spend time with her grandchildren but as they grew up and moved away she did not see them as often in her later years, except for Dennis and Shirley who remained in the area.

Darlene passed away April 18, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband Glenn; son, Gerald; brothers, Myrle, and Dale; Sisters, Blanch, Janice, Delores, June, and Elaine; grandson, Adam; great granddaughter, Jonnie; and her parents.

Darlene is survived by sons, Merlin, Neal, and Paul; daughters, Linda and Lois; eight grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; one brother, Harold; and two sisters Cora and Sharon.

Memorial Services will be on Friday April 29, 2022; 11:00 a.m. at the David- Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, with visitation one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Shell Lake Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.