Thief River Falls, Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — Janice A. Olson, 85, of Thief River Falls, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. She died after heart surgery in Arizona.
Olson died at Banner Heart Hospital. Family said her death was sudden.
Early life
Janice Ann Armstrong was born Nov. 2, 1940, near Euclid, Minnesota. Her parents were Frank and Alma Armstrong.
She was baptized and confirmed at a Presbyterian church in Euclid. Her family later moved to Norden Township.
Olson attended Gopher Mound Country School. She later graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957.
Marriage and work
She married Duane Allen Olson on Feb. 21, 1959, in Norden Township. They raised four children.
Their children are Danny Olson, Susan Hjelle, Jeffrey Olson, and Steven Olson.
After high school, Olson worked at Union State Bank in Thief River Falls. She later worked with her husband on a dairy farm.
She also worked for the USDA Farm Service Agency. She retired in 2005.
The couple spent many winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. They returned to Thief River Falls each summer.
Community ties
Olson was active at Oak Ridge Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. She taught Sunday School and helped with Ladies Aid.
She was also a Minnesota 4-H leader.
Local programs are listed through UMN Extension in Pennington County.
She took part in the Good Cheer Club. The family said she loved traveling and spending time with her family.
Survivors
Olson is survived by her husband, Duane Olson. They were married for 66 years.
- Husband: Duane Olson.
- Son: Danny Olson and Denise Olson of Saginaw, Minnesota.
- Son: Jeffrey Olson and Julie Olson of Thief River Falls.
- Son: Steven Olson and Amy Olson of Thief River Falls.
- Grandchild: Samantha Hjelle and spouse Dawn Hjelle.
- Grandchild: Travis Hjelle and friend Lindsey.
- Grandchild: Cole Olson and Ashley Olson.
- Grandchild: Katelyn Kramer and Zach Kramer.
- Grandchild: Hanna Olson and fiancé Ryan.
- Grandchild: Sydney Olson.
- Grandchild: Abbie Brekke and Collin Brekke.
- Grandchild: Blaine Olson.
- Grandchild: Abe Olson and Halle Olson.
- Grandchild: Annie Olson and friend Brady.
- Grandchild: Ike Olson.
- Great-grandchildren: Isabella, Wyatt, Brya, Aria, Kastin, Beau, Liam, Aili, Bennett.
- Sisters-in-law: Jan Armstrong, Vera Armstrong, Joyce Olson, Maxine Filpula.
- Sisters-in-law: Janice Nelson and Gloria Haug.
- Son-in-law: Wayne Hjelle.
- The family also listed many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Those who died before her
Olson was preceded in death by her parents. She was also preceded by her daughter, Susan Hjelle.
Susan Hjelle and her son, Todd Hjelle, died in an auto crash in 1987.
She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Eva Mae Weiland, Doris Vevea, Ron Armstrong, and Don Armstrong.
- Brothers-in-law: Edwin Lappegaard and Dake Ayers.
- Brothers-in-law: Clarence Anderson and Lloyd Vevea.
- Brothers-in-law: Ralph Weiland and Leland Nelson.
- Brothers-in-law: Lloyd Olson and LaVerne Filpula.
- Sister-in-law: Dorothy Lappegaard.
Service plans
Services are planned for the spring. Burial will be at Landstad Cemetery in Sanders Township.
More details are expected from Johnson Funeral Service.
For city updates in her hometown, see the City of Thief River Falls website.
For heart surgery resources, see the American Heart Association.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
I’m going to miss this sweet woman. She was my neighbor in Thief River Falls, when they weren’t living in Arizona during thr winter. 🥺🥺💔