Doretta Olson, 87

Doretta Olson, 87, formerly of Donaldson, Minn., passed away peacefully with family by her side, Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Eventide, Fargo.
Doretta was born Nov. 11, 1937, the oldest of eight children, to Jake W. and Lea (Hins) Hofmann in Medina, N.D. She attended school there, worked alongside her parents on the farm and helped raise her younger siblings. She also worked various waitressing jobs in the area and that is where she met James Olson. They were married Nov. 26, 1960, in Medina. They then moved to Donaldson where they lived then until September 2018 when they moved to New York Mills, Minn., to be closer to their four daughters. After James’s passing in 2020, she moved to Serenity Assisted Living in Dilworth, Minn., until December 2024, when she went to Eventide, Fargo, N.D., due to a fall and broken hip.
Doretta worked various waitressing, bartending (Nordic Korner and The Bear’s Den), and most importantly, became a Postmaster for Donaldson for 30 years until her retirement in September 2012. She thoroughly loved meeting and visiting with all kinds of people. She was known for her compassion, quick wit, hugs and her handwritten cards and letters she sent to all who knew her. She also loved playing cards, especially “Ramona’s Rummy” with her grandkids!
She is survived by: her four daughters, Lea (Jerry) Oswald of Fergus Falls, Minn., Julie (Gary) Spilde of Perham, Minn., Lorrie Lorentz and Jami (Mitch) Kolrud both of Fargo; eight grandchildren that were the light of her life: Kassandra Draves, Lukas (Krystal) and Markas (Ashley) Dahl; Alexas (Garrett) Shelley; Mitchell and Madelyne Oswald, Cole Lorentz, and Jake Kolrud; four great-grandchildren: Jazmyn, Bekkam, Brooks and Louie; two brothers, a sister-in-law, four sisters, and two brothers-in law, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by: her husband of 60 years, James; her parents; her father and mother-in-law; one brother; and one brother-in-law.
A visitation will be held at Schoeneberger Funeral Service, 100 Jake St, Perham on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a short prayer service at 6 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2025, at Skjeberg Lutheran Church, 1327 160th Ave, Teien Township, Drayton, N.D.m with visitation one hour prior.
Interment at Hillcrest Cemetery, Donaldson, after the service. Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, Minn., is in charge of arrangements, along with Schoeneberger Funeral Service in Perham.