Arlene Ruth Olson

Arlene Ruth Olson, 93, of Cloquet, passed away on July 23, 2026, at Evergreen Assisted Living.

She was born on April 26, 1933, in Duluth, MN to Roy and Ruth Nelson. She graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1951. On September 20, 1952, Arlene married the love of her life, Burton Olson, and together they raised three children. She worked at local banks, and the Cloquet Transit Company, where she retired in 1982. In later years, she enjoyed organizing and working at the gift shop within the Chris Jensen Nursing Home in Duluth. Alongside her husband Burt, Arlene was an active member of Journey Christian Church for nearly 50 years.
Throughout her life she enjoyed sewing and knitting, including sewing a baby blanket and high school graduation blanket, as well as knitting hooded sweaters for each grandchild. She loved baking and always had something on hand for unexpected company. She enjoyed gardening, especially her raspberries, making her pint size jam and her famous raspberry fruit pizza.
Arlene is remembered by her grandkids for her themed family get togethers at Christmas. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s events.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Burt, and an infant son, as well as a great-grandson, Azariah Schrick.
She is survived by her brother, Richard (Sandi) Nelson; two daughters, Diane (Justin) Morrison and Sue (Jeff) Lane; and son, Arthur (Darlene) Olson; nine grandchildren, Rissa (Nathan) Schrick, Laura Olson, Becca (Jason) Larson, Amber (Aaron) McCord, Matthew (Rachel) Olson, Alisha (Richard) Stefaniw, Emily (Yohenrry) Jorge, Kristin (Dan) Lindberg and Michael (Felycia) Lane; and 20 great-grandchildren, Ella, Raelah, Jedidiah, Lincoln, Malachi, Evelyn, Adeline, Maisie, Waylon, Jemma, Ryan, Liddy, Hans, Easton, Anna, Ellis, Collette, Leroy, Alaina and Apollo.

A special thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at Evergreen Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice. A memorial service will be held at Journey Christian Church on August 12, 2026. Visitation is at 11 a.m. and service is at 12 p.m., followed by a reception.