Lynn M. Olson, age 83 of Minnetonka, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis.  Lynn's passing was unexpected.  Lori (her daughter) and Ginger (her friend) were there with her right before her passing.

Lynn was in the middle of the pack of ten children of Alveta and Porter Olson.  She was a rebel among her siblings.  Her adventures took her to California at age 20 to have her first child, Lori.  After her "Pa" came out to encourage her home, she returned to Anoka and started working as a waitress in downtown Minneapolis.  Then along came her second child, Michael.  The family moved to a duplex in South Minneapolis where they lived until Lynn bought her first home in Crystal, where the family lived for several years.  She switched careers and started bartending.  Lynn lost her son, Michael, to cancer on December 10, 1978.  After losing Michael, she sold her home and moved in with her friend Sarah, where they lived happily in their condo in Minnetonka.  Lynn again made a career change and became an employee of Byerly's in Ridgedale, where she retired at the age of 72.

Lynn was a fiercely hard worker and she expected nothing less from those around her.  She was a natural care giver and took care of Lori, Shane, and Luke until the day she was admitted to the hospital.  Lynn always made time for family and friends because that is what truly made her happy.  There were many days and hours visiting with her sisters and brothers.  One of Lynn's dreams included a road trip, which she accomplished last fall with a visit to her sister's in Georgia.  Earlier in life, Lynn loved traveling to warmer climates in the winter with family and friends.  Other things that made her happy included doing puzzles, binge watching Netflix and Hulu, happy hour with family and friends, reading mystery books, cleaning (a clean house was very satisfying), happy hour after cleaning, cooking for family & friends, happy hour on the phone with Ginger, visits with Bonnie, and sitting on her deck with all her beautiful flowers.

Lynn absolutely loved the holidays, especially Christmas because she received so much joy from giving her family and friends gifts.  She was most proud of her grandsons, always bragging about their accomplishments and achievements.  She loved listening to them play music and sing all through their high school years, watching them graduate from college and move into new lives of their own.  Her grandsons brought her the most joy.

A loving and beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Lynn will be terribly missed by her daughter, Lori; her grandsons, Shane (Kjerstin) and Luke; her brothers, Leroy and Butch (Carla); her sisters, Edna (Doug) and Beulah; her close friends, Ginger and Bonnie; and her many other family and friends.  Lynn will be watching over us, along with those that went before her; son, Michael Olson; mother, Alveta Olson; father, Porter Olson; brothers, Dean, Tommy, Phil, and Dale; sister, Alice.  She loved us all and made sure we knew that through her actions and presence.  Let's raise our glasses and toast a wonderful woman who loved and cared for all of us.

A Celebration of Lynn's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2020 at Peninsula Point Park, 1460 S. Ferry Street, Anoka.  Gathering of family and friends 1/2 hour prior to the service (2:30 - 3:00 p.m.)  A Graveside Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22, 2020 at Forest Hill Cemetery, Anoka.

Arrangements entrusted to Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home of Anoka (763) 421-0220