Arlene A Olson

Arlene Arless Olson, 81, passed away at her home on May 22, 2025.

Arlene, the daughter of Christ and Lena Hausauer, was born on December 23, 1943, at her parents' home in rural Regan, ND. She was raised on the family farm and attended Regan High School where she graduated in 1962. After graduation, Arlene attended Capital Commercial College in Bismarck for business and was employed at the Burleigh County Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation office.

She married Delbert Olson on June 6, 1964, at Sunne Lutheran Church in Wilton, ND where she had been baptized and confirmed. They made their home on the original Olson family homestead southwest of Wing where they farmed and ranched together for 46 years.

Arlene was active in many organizations throughout the years including serving on the Board of Directors for Burleigh County Social Services, North Dakota Farmers Union, NDFU Mutual Insurance, NDFU Service Association, Burleigh County Farmers Union, and Burleigh County Housing Authority. She was the first woman elected to the Capital Electric Board of Directors on which she proudly served for 30 years.

She ran for the North Dakota House of Representatives from District 14 in 2000 but was defeated. However, this did not deter her from an ongoing interest in politics and commitment to helping others in the area, including traveling to Washington, DC to lobby for farm legislation. She served on the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council and the Wing Theatre. Arlene was a Certified First Responder for the Wing Rural Ambulance and their Business Manager for 26 years. She also served as Clerk for Trygg Township and Treasurer of the Golden Wing Club at the Wing Senior Center. She enjoyed writing grants and working with others on projects which benefited the organizations and larger community.

Arlene was especially proud of her family and never missed a chance to tell anyone who would listen about her children’s and grandchildren’s lives.

Arlene is survived by two daughters, Karla (James) Olson, Wing, ND, and Karen Lemer, Grayslake, IL; two grandchildren, Mason and AJ Lemer, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert, in 2010, her parents, brothers Reuben Hausauer and Melvin Hausauer, sisters Ruby Ziegler and Lorraine Weippert, and one aunt, Alice Stubert.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer.