Shirley Jean Olson

   Shirley J. Olson was born September 17, 1927, the daughter of Arthur and Clara (Nelson) Amundson. She attended country grade school in Sioux County (IA), graduated from Hudson (SD) High School, and earned an Elementary Education degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls (SD). Shirley taught in Brandt, Arlington, Salem, and Hurley (SD) Schools.   

   In 1953, she married Gordon Miller, and they farmed in rural Rock Valley (IA). Together they welcomed one daughter, Cathy Lu. In 1971, Shirley and Gordon divorced, and she and Cathy moved to Hudson. Shirley was a substitute teacher, taught Sunday School for 25 years, painted houses (inside and outside) for herself and many others and was active in the Hudson Lutheran Church. She loved to dance, especially waltzes and square dances, and enjoyed bike riding. 

   Shirley married Wayne Olson in 1979 and moved to Rapid City (SD) where they operated the Skyline Rock & Gift Shop. They attended the Rock & Gem show in Tucson (AZ) every February. Wayne died in 1989, and Shirley returned to Hudson where she lived until 2023. She volunteered and served meals at the Hudson Senior Center for 20 years. Shirley spent the last year of her life in memory care in Saint Peter (MN) where her daughter and granddaughter live. 

   Survivors include her loving daughter, Cathy Lu; granddaughter, Breann McIntyre and her wife Nikki; nephews, Ron (Maria Brandl) Amundson, Larry (Pat Vokoun) Randall, and Bryan (Thuy) Randall; and niece, Gloria (Randall) Mullins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Bruce Randall; her brother and sister-in-law, Merle and Ethel Amundson (Haugland); and niece Susan (Amundson) Johnson. 

   A memorial service will be held in Hudson at a later date.