Viola (Schell) Olson passed away peacefully at home on January 11th, 2023, in Seattle, WA, surrounded by her family.

Viola's memorial service is Saturday, July 1st, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.

Viola (Schell) Olson was born January 21st, 1935, in Corson County to William and Margaret (Lorenz) Schell.  She was one of seven children. She was raised on the family farm north of Morristown, SD, in the "Pretty Rock" area. She attended country school with her siblings and attended church at the Minor Lutheran Church.

On February 4th, 1953, she married Frederick D Olson "Fred." Their wedding was at the home of Fred's parents. A wedding dance followed in Brisbane, ND. To this union, three children were born.

In 1953 Viola and Fred moved to the Black Hills and resided in Lead, SD. Viola was very active in the community. She was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, a Sunday School Teacher, served on the altar guild at the First Lutheran Church, and was active with the "Ladies Aide."

She loved cooking, baking, and having friends and family over for coffee. She enjoyed packing snow gear and heading to the meadow to snowmobile with her family. She also enjoyed summer camping and boating at the lake or the Missouri River. Viola was an avid bowler on many women's bowling leagues in the Black Hills.

Viola and Fred were members of the Moose Lodge in Lead, SD where they frequently attended dances with family and friends. Viola and Fred loved to dance. They were amazing to watch, as they would glide over the dance floor, waltzing and two-stepping.

In 1971 Viola and Fred moved their family to Lemmon, SD, where Fred worked on the Kressley Ranch. Viola worked as a housekeeper at the Five County Nursing Home in Lemmon for over 35 years. Viola juggled her career in town with managing everything that comes with being a "farmer's wife." She would rush home from work, pack lunch, and drive out to the fields to find Fred for a quick break. She also tended the garden for fresh vegetables and harvested the strawberry patch. Viola was also on several bowling leagues in Lemmon, SD. She treasured the lifelong friendship she made. Viola was very active at the Calvary Lutheran Church. Viola was a talented seamstress. She sewed many of her daughter's clothes, mended coats and coverall for Fred and her sons, and was constantly sewing projects to accessorize her home.

Viola's passion was to care for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She made the most delicious "special K bars" whenever her grandkids came over. Her family always enjoyed her banana bread and caramel rolls. She never hesitated to "play games" with her family, kickball, baseball, board games, story time, tea parties, and bowling. She always had empty jars ready for bug catching. While living in Lemmon, she loved attending community social activities and her grandchildren's functions.

In 2016 Viola moved to Seattle, WA, to spend time with her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She attended her great-grandchildren's baseball games, soccer games, basketball games, music concerts, baptisms, and anything else she could squeeze in. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She kept in touch with family and friends by sending greeting cards (she loved greeting cards)!

Viola was 87 years young and missed her 88th birthday by ten days. Viola and Fred were married for 61 years.  She celebrated life each and every day. Viola's smile would light up the room. Her legacy will live on through the hearts of her family and anyone else she has touch along the way. She was an amazing woman.

She is survived by her children Monte (Kim) Olson, Lemmon, SD; Georgia (Scott) Johnson, Seattle, WA; John Olson, Box Elder, SD; grandchildren Beth, Rebecca, Craig, Rachelle, Josh, Chelsey, and Landan; great-grandchildren Lily, Laila, Arlo, Evie, Baylor, Addy, Arne, and one brother Benny Schell.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Frederick D Olson, parents, William and Margaret Schell, sisters, Betty Lenerville, Helen Fike, Margaret Coddington, and brothers, Bob and Johnny Schell.