Ida Theoline Olson, nee Morken, 90, of Emo, Ont., and formerly of Stratton, Ont., passed away peacefully with her loving family and friends at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. on Saturday, July 13, 2002.
Ida was born in Roseau, Mn. on May 31, 1912 and moved to Stratton in 1914 with her two brothers and her parents, Jul and Kari Morken.
In her early adult years, Ida worked as homemaker, both locally in the district and also in Toronto, Ont. Ida loved to bake, garden, read, and do puzzles, but the anchor of her life was her faith in God.
On Feb. 3, 1943, Ida married Ingval J. Olson. From 1943-1955, they resided on their farm in Tait Township, north of Stratton. Then they moved to McKenzie Island, Ont. from 1955-1961, returning back to their farm, where they resided until the fall of 1994.
Then they moved to their new garden suite on the place of Don & Sharon Strom in Blackhawk.
On May 14, 2001, Ida had a severe stroke. After being hospitalized for five months, she was able to return to her daughters’ homes, where she resided until another stroke hospitalized her on June 26.
Mom was lovingly cared for by her family, friends, and staff until her death Saturday morning.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ingval, on Jan. 7, 2000. She also was predeceased by her parents; sister, Jennie Olson, on Oct. 2, 1937; brother, Paul Morken, on June 29, 1982; brother, George Morken, on Dec. 8, 1984; and son-in-law, Allan McClain, on Sept. 29, 1994.
Ida is survived by her four children, two sons, Stanley and wife, Irene, of Stratton, Ont., and Benny and wife, Jeannie, of Stony Plain, Alta., and twin daughters, Shirley McClain of Emo, Ont., and Sharon and husband, Don Strom, of Blackhawk.
Ida also is survived by 10 grandchildren, Rick Bolen and his children, Jamie and Bradley; Jerry Bolen and wife, Susan, and their children, Adam and Katie; Kelly, Sheldon, and Aaron Olson; Kendall and Jeff McClain; ShirLynn and husband, Chuck Pelton; Jason Strom and wife, Wendy; and Tammy and husband, Olaf Skjenna; and two great-grandchildren, Jason Jr. and Jalena Strom.
Ida also is survived by two sisters-in-law, Anna Morken of International Falls, Mn., and Alice Valdock of Kenora, Ont.; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be dearly missed as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, and friend.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with visitation Tuesday, July 16, 2002 from 7 until 9 p.m. Mr. Alton Mose officiated, with interment in Chapple Cemetery in Barwick, Ont.
Pallbearers were her grandchildren, Rick Bolen, Jerry Bolen, Kelly Olson, Sheldon Olson, Aaron Olson, Kendall Olson, Jeff McClain, ShirLynn Pelton, Jason Strom, and Tammy Skjenna.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Emo Handi-Van, Box 576, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
