Blanch A. Olson age 95 of Detroit Lakes, MN died on December 13, 2017 at the Sanford Centennial Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD.

Blanch Alvira Olson was born on February 21, 1922 in Sebeka, MN, the daughter of Carl and Mary (Hemphill) Peterson. She attended school in Sebeka, later moving to Evergreen Township in rural Frazee, MN, where she graduated from Frazee High School. As the valedictorian of her class, she received a half-year scholarship for college, but in the midst of the Great Depression her family couldn’t pay the remaining tuition and she was unable to attend. Later, while working for Cargill in Minneapolis, Blanch attended some classes at the University of Minnesota. These experiences left her with a deep appreciation for both the importance of a high-quality education as well as the value of every hard-earned dollar. She impressed these values on her family and always encouraged and supported those she loved in their educational pursuits.

She worked as a bookkeeper for the Wolf Lake Creamery and later for the Cass Clay Creamery in Moorhead, MN. In January of 1955, she was united in marriage to Forrest Olson in Reno, Nevada. They made their home in Sacramento, CA, Oakland, CA, and Brainerd, MN. In 1965, they moved to Detroit Lakes, MN where she worked as the business manager at Multi County Nursing Service for fourteen years. There, she also became an advocate for patients in the Medicare system. Later, Blanch spent 12 years working for DL TV and Appliance. Forrest passed away in 1990.  Blanch married Dick Hein in 1998, and they made their home in Detroit Lakes until Dick passed away in 2013.

As an avid sports fan, Blanch closely followed the Minnesota Vikings and Twins, and loved listening to Bert Blyleven and Dick Bremer. She had an uncanny ability to win sweepstakes, and freely shared much of what she won with friends and family. This included tickets to both the1991 World Series and The Masters golf tournament. She was an active member of the congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church, and enjoyed participating in fellowship, including her Circle Bible Study. Blanch was known for her warm smile, and was a constant source of conversation, emotional support, and thoughtful advice when a friend or family member was facing a challenge. Most of all, she found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her two sons, Bert (Cindy) Olson, and Gary (fiance’ Connie Breakey) Olson; two stepsons, Bruce (Jean) Hein, and Dr. Gary (Wanda) Hein; and eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Dale Peterson and Bert Peterson; infant sister, Phyllis Peterson; one stepson, Lynn Hein; and her parents.
Funeral Services will be on Friday December 22, 2017; 11:00 a.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be on Thursday from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN, with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Becker County Food Pantry, Trinity Lutheran Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

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