Ellen Olson-Funk

Yup, you heard it right. Those were angels singing. They welcomed Ellen Olson-Funk into Heaven on Friday morning, June 15 at the grand old age of 95. Ellen was surrounded by family in her cozy apartment in Rochester, MN. Ellen was born June 24, 1922 in Portland, Oregon to Jennie (Fjeld) and E. Victor Haight. She lived in Oregon for a short time before moving with her "precious little momma" to Minnesota where she grew in both age and spunk. Ellen graduated from Rochester High School in 1940 and began working at Mayo Clinic. Soon after, she fell for the tall, dark and handsome man she met on a street corner who promptly declared her "the future Mrs. John Olson." She followed the confident soldier to his military post in Muskegon, Michigan where they married on February 6, 1942. They started their family in 1944 while John was still in the service. After the service, life took them to Davenport Iowa for a short time before returning to Minnesota where they raised five children. Ellen enjoyed golfing, needlecrafts, and being a homemaker, and once her children were in school, she began her career in advertising at the Rochester Post Bulletin. John passed away in 1977. Ellen suffered a stroke in 1987 and made the decision to retire and travel. While enjoying winter in Texas, she met Alrow Funk and they were married in 1988. The two enjoyed traveling, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. Al passed away in 2006. In 2009, Ellen moved to Shorewood Commons where she dominated the cribbage table and kicked butt at Wii bowling. In 2014, she moved to Meadow Lakes Senior Living where she lived out her days winning at bingo and anxiously awaiting the next outing with family. Ellen was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Her family was her life and her legacy will live on through them. Those who will be missing her include her 5 children: Jane (David) Amdahl of Osakis, MN, their children, Kim (Mike) Kusilek of LaConner, WA, Kevin (Jen) Amdahl of St. Cloud, MN, John (Kristi) Amdahl of Lakeville, MN; Jerry (Jodi) Olson of Pine Island, MN, their children, Jesse and Sarah, and Jerry's children, John (Krystal) Olson of Rochester, MN and Jeff Olson of San Antonio, TX; Julie (Mark) Farmakes George of Minneapolis, MN and her children, Amanda (Nathan) Karjalahti of Bloomington, MN, and Andrew Farmakes of Minneapolis, MN; Jeff (Lynn) Olson of Rochester, MN; and Janis (Paul) Evers of Rochester, MN, and their children, Kaylie, Drake and Anika, and 11 great-grandchildren. Her parents welcomed her in Heaven. Ellen's life will be celebrated at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Home, at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 21, with visitation at 10 a.m. Guests are invited to join the family for a luncheon immediately following the service. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester MN 55901 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com