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Margaret A. Olson, age 90, of North Branch died Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at the Cambridge Medical Center.

Margaret was born at Grove City, Minnesota on July 8, 1918 to parents, Thomas and Mabel (Banta) Hicks. She was raised in the Grove City area until the family home was destroyed by a fire and they moved to Waukenabo, Minnesota near Aitkin. She attended school through the 8th grade and eventually received her GED. She married Arvid Olson on August 16, 1941 in North Branch. Margaret received nurses training and spent most of her working life at the Cambridge State Hospital. She liked playing piano and guitar which allowed her and her sister to sing on the Slim Jim Radio Show in the early '40's. She loved fishing and hunting, traveling and doing crossword puzzles. Most of all she was a very supportive grandmother to her six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She will be missed by her son, Dale (Janet) Olson of Lindstrom; daughters, Karen (Don) Swanson of North Branch and Lorna (friend Jerry) Olson of St. Paul; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and two brothers and husband, Arvid in 1988.

Funeral services were Friday, December 5, at the North Branch United Methodist Church with Rev. Christ Kneen Officiating. Music was provided by Nancy Rampp and Sharlyn Good. Interment followed at Oakhill Cemetery in North Branch. Serving as casketbearers were Brain Olson, Bart Olson, Brent Olson, Mike Swanson, Matt Lattimore, Bill Pulkrabek and Jerry Evensen.

Arrangements were under the direction of Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch.

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