Geraldine "Geri" E. Olson, 80, of Altoona died Monday, January 31, 2005, at home. Geri was born January 27, 1925, in rural Blair to Edwin and Gena (Dale) Otterson. She attended Whispering Pines rural school and graduated as valedictorian from Blair High School. After graduating from the Rural Teacher's Training Department at La Crosse State Teacher's College (now UW-La Crosse), she taught rural school.\r\nShe married Otis G. Olson on June 15, 1946 at North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church (Faith). They lived in rural Osseo and Eau Claire before moving to Altoona in 1959.\r\nGeri was a child care provider for many years, a former Cub Scout leader, and election inspector in Altoona. A member of Grace Lutheran Church, she was active in its organizations: Women of Grace, Circle, Tuesday Bible study, Friendship Club, and formerly taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school.\r\nGeri loved her family, home, and church, and enjoyed reading, needlework, baking, growing plants and flowers, and traveling. Proud of her Norwegian heritage, she especially enjoyed her four trips to Norway.\r\nShe is survived by her children of whom she was very proud: Dr. Barbara Olson (Dr. John Lostetter) of Nashville, Tennessee, Larry (Karen) Olson of Eau Claire, Bradley (Kathy) Olson of San Ramon, California, and Debra Olson (Thomas Boyle) of Minnetonka, Minnesota; grandchildren, Jared and Jocelyn Lostetter, and Kurt Olson. She is also survived by sisters, Amy Nelson and Viola Frederixon of Blair; brothers, Lester (Florence) Otterson of Blair, and Gordon (Judy) Otterson of Downing; sisters-in-law, Dolores (Gaylord) Stuve of Whitehall, and Janet (Arthur) Goudin of Rothschild; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.\r\nGeri was preceded in death by her husband, Otis, on March 9, 1993; her parents; brothers, Earl and Donald; sister, June Karl; sister-in-law, Amy Otterson; and brothers-in-law, Robert Karl, Archie Nelson, and James Frederixon.\r\nFuneral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2005, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Rolf A. Nestingen officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday at church.

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