Elaine W. Olson , Minneapolis, MN and formerly of Minot and Velva, died Thursday, December 17, 2015, in a Minneapolis nursing home.

Elaine was born July 15, 1931, in Velva, ND to Eric and Alma (Haga) Ellison. She grew up on a farm located east of Velva and was educated in the communities of Velva and Bergen.

Elaine was united in marriage to Norman Olson October 8, 1949 at her family home. This union was blessed with a daughter, Marlaine and a son, Mitchell. Elaine provided a loving home to her family, where she was first, a wife and a mother. She was also known to family and friends as a good cook and a lover of cards with whist and poker as her games of choice. She had a circle of dear friends with similar interests which lead to them playing on a weekly basis.

They lived in Velva and Harvey until moving to Minot in 1961, where they built a home. It was home to them until they sold the house and moved into their condo. Norman passed away in 2000 after a long history of health challenges. Elaine moved back to Velva in 2008 to be near her brothers and sisters. Health challenges forced a move to Minneapolis in 2012 so she could be near her daughter, Marlaine.

Elaine was a member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. She will be missed by all who shared in her life.

Elaine\'s loving family includes her daughter, Marlaine Olson, Minneapolis, MN and son, Mitchell Olson of Rawlins, WY; granddaughter, Emily (Russell) Bathurst, great-granddaughters, Rilee (5), Peyton (2), and Hadlee (1) all of Ozawkie, KS, grandson Cadon Brown Mitchell, NE; step-granddaughter Jada Crouse, sister, Doris (Burdette) Kittelson, Velva, ND, brothers, Ivan Ellison, Fergus Falls, MN and James (Irene) Ellison of Velva, ND, sister-in-laws, Darlene (Leonard) Bubach, Towner, ND, Donna (Wallace) Manning Grand Prairie, TX, Beverly (Donald) Wanger Crookston, MN, brother-in-laws Everett (Sandra) Olson Holdingford, MN, Norris (Carlotta) Olson Bergen, ND and numerous nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Norman and sister, Lorraine McDowell.

A private service will be held on December 28th at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND. Her poker playing friends are welcome.

Interment: Bethel Cemetery, rural Velva, ND in the spring of 2016.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Bethel Cemetery.

Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at .