"I can hear the laughter and jokes they are telling from heaven. All of these girls were women of god, an example to live by. May peace find you. Jeni Parker. (Thorn?s granddaughter)"
In loving memory of
Olive A. Richardson
April 30, 1933 - June 20, 2020
Olive A. Richardson, 87, of Swea City, died Saturday, June 20, 2020. A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 25th at 1:30 PM at Bethany E. & R. Church in Ledyard with inurnment following at Highland Home Cemetery in Ledyard. Her family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Social distancing practices will be followed. The service will be live streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook page.
Olive Ann Richardson was born April 30, 1933, at the family home in Waskish. MN, daughter of Iver and Lavina (Frost) Nordrum. Her mother died when Olive was 6. After living with various families in the Waskish area, Olive came to live with the Wesley and Ruth Milbrandt family of Elmore, MN. She graduated from Elmore High School in 1952, and she married Vernon Richardson on January 4, 1953, in Elmore, MN. Olive made her profession of faith in Christ as a 14 year old and was baptized at the Baptist church in Waskish.
Olive helped her husband on the farm, 40 years in the Grant Township area, until his death in 2002, and she worked seasonally at Green Giant in Blue Earth, MN. She enjoyed quilting, basket making, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She served as a 4-H volunteer when her children were younger. She attended Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church in Ledyard for many years, where she also served as a youth group volunteer and Bible school teacher, and was active in the women's groups.
She is survived by three children, Dale (Deborah) Richardson of Bricelyn, MN, Dianne (Ron) Bonebrake of Kirtland, NM, and Dennis (Cindy) Richardson of Swea City; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Richardson, Cole (Lesley) Richardson, Chantel (Matt) Storby, Matt Christianson, David Christianson, Chris (Carrie) Stevens, Blake (fiancé Peyton Oleson) Stevens, and Taylor (Heath) Bernhard; and 15 great-grandchildren with one on the way. She is also survived by a sister, Mabel Sands of White Fish, MT; two brothers-in-law, Lyle Erickson of Fargo, ND and Richard Mansager of St. Paul, MN; and her Milbrandt family members, Doug Milbrandt, Ruth Ann (John) Stalder, Bruce (Pam) Milbrandt, Ross Milbrandt, and Rose (John) Berry.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Vernon on June 10, 2002; a daughter Debra in 1981; nine brothers and sisters, Robert (Theresa) Nordrum, Thora (Raleigh) Gordon, Howard (Jane) Nordrum, Leroy (Laverne) Nordrum, Irene (Raymond) Carlson, Carol (Charles) Olander, Juanita Erickson, Earl (Marlys) Hillman, and Lila Mansager; and the Milbrandt family members, Wesley (Ruth) Milbrandt, Irvin Milbrandt, and Dawn Milbrandt.
Tributes
"Peace be with you. I\'m so glad you could share this time with your Mom. It was great to see you at Christmas. Irvin considered your Mom as a sister. He was so glad she came to live with their family and helped raising the family. The was such a nice person. Sorry I can\'t come to the funeral, but am thinking of you. "
"Olive was always so much fun to visit with. She had a great sense of humor and a \"beautiful\" unforgettable smile. She will be missed and \"remembered\" by many. Our prayer is that precious memories will remain always for the family as well as comfort from the Lord in the days ahead. Hugs and love to all -- Derald and Pam Goetz "
"What a wonderful lady and aunt! Visited Olive and Vernon and kids many times on the farm near Swea City. Olive always made it fun for all of us. Olive was also a wonderful sister to my mother and we are all better for knowing her. Prayers go out for Diane, Dale, and Dennis. "
"My sympathies to the family and know we will all miss Ollie so much. She had a great influence in my life and we loved her as our sister. Please know that we are praying for you and wish we were able to be there. Hugs to all of you. Sis"
"My sympathies go to Dale, Diane, Dennis, and their families. I can still hear your mom?s giggle and see her sweet smile. I have so many fine memories of our families getting together for a few hours of visiting. "
"I am so sorry to see this news. Olive was a dear, sweet lady and a wonderful neighbor and friend for all of those Grant years. My parents thought so highly of your parents and enjoyed being neighbors. It was such a delight when Dad and I would run into her at the Country Inn in Swea City. My sympathies to your families. "
"Our sympathy to Olive\'s family. Olive and Rich\'s mother Elnora had such a good time enjoying being neighbors for a good number of years there in Swea City. They had coffee, shared recipes, reminded each other of what day was garbage day, talked over their gardens....and the list goes on. God bless Olive\'s sweet memory to all who know and love her. She was a sweet, sweet lady."
"We will miss Olive. What a beautiful person both inside and out! Thank you ,Diane, for allowing her to be with you these past months. That was something Olive definitely was happy about. Our sympathy and prayers to all the family. Jim and Betty smith"