Lisa Marie Olson, age 51, of Golden Valley, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Lisa was born on June 8, 1967, in Barron, Wisconsin, to Barbara and Mahlon Maas.  She grew up near Cumberland, WI, and graduated from Barron High School in 1985 with her many wonderful friends.  

In high school she was active in Future Business Leaders of America, volleyball, and softball.  She was also very active in 4-H.  Lisa was a very hard worker and held many part-time jobs while attending high school, including waitressing at Rose’s Cafe.  After high school, Lisa attended Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis where she graduated with an Associate’s Degree as a Legal Secretary.  During this time she also worked at Lutheran Brotherhood. 

 After graduating from the Minnesota School of Business, she returned to Wisconsin where she worked at GTE in Rice Lake for a short time, before starting her long and fulfilling career at Lutheran Brotherhood/Thrivent in Minneapolis, where she worked until 2000.  Lisa thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent with her children, Nicole and Nathan.  Though the time she had with them was short, they made many memories together over the years.  

Lisa loved to go on bike rides with her kids in the summer to the Dairy Queen.  She also was able to coach Nicole’s Junior Olympic volleyball team, which she enjoyed.  Lisa resided in Richfield, Minnesota, Shakopee, Minnesota, and Golden Valley, Minnesota for most of her adult life.  She loved to play volleyball and softball through the years.  She enjoyed playing board games and doing puzzles.  She enjoyed the many visits by friends and family and loved being able to come home to the farm for long weekends in the recent years.  Through the years Lisa made many long-lasting friendships.  She was a dedicated mother, loving sister, wonderful and committed daughter, loving grandmother to Callahan, and favorite aunt to many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  She was loved and adored by so many people here in Wisconsin and in Minnesota.  

She is survived by her children, Nicole (Matt) Smrz and Nathan Paul Olson; both of Virginia; a grandson, Callahan Smrz; parents Barbara and Mahlon Maas; sisters Shelly (Bill) Balts and Lori (Jim) Crawford; brother Bryan (Char) Maas; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Albert and Ida Kuhrt and Irene and Emil Maas; aunts, and uncles.    

Funeral services for Lisa Olson will be Friday, January 18, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Salem Lutheran Church in Barron with Rev. Michael Nielsen and Rev. Ronald Mueller officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday morning.  Burial will be at Wayside Cemetery in Barron.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.  Online condolences can be made at www.rauschandsteelfuneralhome.com. 

Last Update: Jan 17, 2019 9:20 am CST