Margaret Ella Oleson

Margaret Oleson, 95, of Rochester, died Friday, June 7, 2013, at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth. Margaret was born September 19, 1917, in Devils Lake, North Dakota to Louis and Carrie Leet. She graduated from Webster Public School and attended Jamestown College in Jamestown, North Dakota before becoming a secretary for the Gambles Company. She married Glenn P. Oleson on March 12, 1939, and made their home in Moorhead, MN. They moved to Forman, ND in 1947 where they owned and operated a Gambles Store. Margaret was the bookkeeper for the store and later worked as the secretary for the North Dakota Farm Bureau. She also was active in the Republican Party. Margaret was the organist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman for many years. Following retirement in 1979, they moved to Laguna Hills retirement community in California. Glenn passed away in 1983. Margaret moved to Rochester in 1987. She enjoyed playing bridge, listening to music, cooking and reading. She is survived by her brother, James (Jean) Leet in Newtown, Conn; her son, James (Joan) Oleson in St. Joseph, Michigan; her daughter, Gwen (Larry) Scilley of Rochester, Minnesota; granddaughters, Kay (Paul) Roller, Ann (John) Ripy, Erika Oleson, Heather Oleson, Alissa Oleson, and Gretchen Oleson; great-grandchildren, Cole Ripy, Kacy Ripy, Shjon Ripy, Audrey Roller, and Norah Roller. A memorial service will be held 1:00PM Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Samaritan Bethany Chapel, 24 8th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Visitation will be held from 12:30PM until time of the service. Memorials may be directed to Christ United Methodist Organ Fund, 400 5th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN 55902 or to the charity of donor's choice. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, Rochester, MN.